What distinguishes this manual on restoration is not so much the choice of solvents (such as the mixture of turpentine and alcohol, common ashes and soap-makers lye) but an elaborate and very detailed description of how to use them. The reader is constantly made aware of the hazards of cleaning and special note is made of the uneven states of preservation of painted surfaces that the restorer might have to deal with. This chapter on cleaning conveys the author's great respect for the work of art. The following chapters dealing with gessoing, inpainting and varnishing are in conformity with the tendency of that time to integrate the losses as invisibly as possible. Juan Garcia Miranda (1677-1749) is named as the first Spanish painter who was dedicated to the study of restoration. It was only in the 19th century that the imperfections of his methods were improved. The author notes that varnish as a painting medium was introduced in Spain at the beginning of the 19th century and points out the danger of cleaning paintings done in this technique.