Pentimento

A pentimento is a minor change in a painting — an artist’s adjustment of the composition or gesture. Sometimes the change can be seen though barely visible clues, and sometimes the change is only discovered using infra-red light or X-rays.

The conceptual beauty of a pentimento is the idea of self-editing. Stepping back, evaluating what you’ve done, what you’ve made, what you’ve planned, what you’ve accomplished... and making a shift. A correction. A minor adjustment.

The change might be invisible to the casual observer. Or perhaps traces of the shift will be evident upon close inspection. Minor clues. Subtle scars.

No matter. The work of a master bears these corrections with skill and grace.