In the late 19th and 20th centuries, there were no longer accepted painting techniques; this now makes restoration difficult. The problems posed by a painting by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner illustrate this theme. The artist was known to restore his own work, as his original technique was not entirely satisfactory. It was necessary to know which, if any, of the retouchings present were by Kirchner. The enquiries undertaken to resolve these doubts are described. Loose paint was consolidated with beva 371 or pva grade ayaa before removing the varnish. 5% beva in xylene was used to consolidate cleaving paint. The same mixture was rolled into the back in an attempt to consolidate the ground. New losses and previous gesso infills were retouched with ova and dry pigments. Paraloid B72(5% in xylene) was sprayed on as the varnish. Photographs, references.