This lifesize portrait is a partial copy of J.K. Stiehlers official crowning portrait of king Louis I. of Bavaria. The canvas support was perforated by innoumerous small punctures, there were severeral running meters of tears and an A4 size piece was missing completely.
Hundreds of punctures had been patched with canvas pieces from the back. Some of the patches contracted on drying, causing severe creasing around the patches. The painting was covered with sooty surface dirt and several layers of brown varnish.