Landscape in the original background

Detail of the x-ray of the painting, showing horizontal strokes of paint in the background which could originally have been a landscape

At the centre right of the x-ray dense, horizontal strokes are visible, now concealed by the outstretched arm and draped lace sleeve resting on the column.

This area appears to relate to sky and landscape: the horizontals of thicker paint would correspond to pale sky at the horizon, possibly with a distant shore or inlet and sketchy clouds above.

Detail of the same area of the finished painting

Close up detail of shoulder and background in the finished painting