pentimento

 
Pronunciation: /ˌpɛntɪˈmɛntəʊ/

noun (plural pentimenti /-ti/)

  • a visible trace of earlier painting beneath a layer or layers of paint on a canvas: scientific examination of his drawings has revealed pentimenti [mass noun]: is it chiaroscuro or pentimento?

Origin:

early 20th century: from Italian, literally 'repentance'