200 years of varnish removed from 17th century oil painting

Nov. 6 (UPI) -- A British art dealer highlighted the restoration of a 17th century oil painting covered in about two centuries of varnish.

Philip Mould shared video of someone gently removing 200 years of varnish from the Jacobean era painting.

"A remarkable Jacobean re-emergence after 200 years of yellowing varnish," Mould wrote.

The restorationist gently used a brush to gradually remove the layer of varnish, revealing the vibrant colors of the original painting.

Mould, host of the BBC's Fake or Fortune?, also shared a photo of the uncleaned image of the mysterious woman in red for comparison.

"All we know is she is 36 and it was painted 1618," he wrote.

Mould marveled at the transformation of the painting as the restorationist cleared up the area underneath the chin and portions of the woman's dress.