Paolo di Stefano's Madonna of Humility tabernacle altarpiece appears to be an almost completely intact structure. An examination to determine whether it had been altered and to assess its original appearance involved the use of stereomicroscopes and x-radiography. The examination determined that most of the gilding was original, but that the twisted columns of the altarpiece were later replacements, and that much of the decoration had been distorted by overpaint and surface dirt, subduing what was originally a brightly colored effect.