[2] The work was "sadly damaged" by the time it went to the United States in the early 1900s, and some students of Venetian art then thought it a copy.

Charles Ricketts thought this impression was due mainly to the repainting, in brown, of the background, formerly grey, with the consequent weakening of the contours and falsifying of the shadows; and the reduction in the quality of the pigment by ironing or relining.

The painting was purchased by the Josyln Art Museum in Omaha, Nebraska in the early 1940s and has remained there since.

The head is slightly thrown back, the right side, together with the right hand, which is feeling the falcon, is placed in strong light.

A neutral grey background, somewhat lighter close round the figure, sets in strong relief the form attired in black.