The article is a description of a techical examination carried out at the Art Gallery of South Australia of the painting Spinning by the 19th century painter Giovanni Segantini. Analysis was carried out using optical microscopic examination of paint cross-sections and also electron microprobe analysis of the samples. Results of the examination are described. Of particular interest was the presence of metallic foil flakes (silver and gold, or an alloy of the two metals) in a varnish or glaze applied to highlight areas of the painting, making cleaning of the painting by traditional methods unadvisable.