Restoring Rembrandt’s Masterpiece: The Night Watch at the Rijksmuseum
One of Rembrandt’s most famous paintings, The Night Watch, is currently undergoing a restoration at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. Visitors to the museum have the unique opportunity to witness the masterpiece’s transformation as conservators work to remove the painting’s old varnish.
The restoration of The Night Watch is part of Operation Night Watch, a comprehensive study of the 17th-century Dutch masterpiece. During the initial research phase of the project, experts re-stretched the canvas and examined the painting’s physical components, revealing the presence of arsenic sulfide pigments and lead in its base layer. The second phase of the operation began recently, with conservators carefully stripping away the old varnish that has discolored and yellowed over time.
According to conservator Ige Verslype, the removal of the old varnish is necessary to improve the legibility of the paint surface. Additionally, old, discolored retouchings will be removed and replaced with new, fine retouchings to restore the painting to its former glory. The Night Watch has undergone several revarnishings in the past, including after incidents where the artwork was damaged by a bread knife and acid.
The process of cleaning The Night Watch involves delicately applying solvent-soaked tissues to the painting’s surface to remove the bulk of the old varnish, followed by the careful removal of any remaining remnants with cotton swabs. As conservator Esther van Duijn explains, the most exciting and challenging aspect of the restoration is the public’s ability to watch the process unfold in real-time.
As the varnish is removed, the painting appears matte and grayish, offering a unique glimpse into Rembrandt’s original work. Rijksmuseum director Taco Dibbits describes the experience as seeing The Night Watch “naked, without makeup,” allowing visitors to witness the painting in a new light.
Conservationist Paula Dredge praises the museum’s decision to open the restoration process to the public, emphasizing that collections in public institutions belong to the people and they have a right to know what is being done to them. She describes the restoration as an opportunity for discovery, where new aspects of Rembrandt’s work may be revealed.
Overall, the restoration of The Night Watch is a meticulous process that requires precision and care. By removing the old varnish and applying new retouchings, conservators aim to bring the masterpiece as close as possible to its original state, allowing future generations to appreciate Rembrandt’s genius for years to come.
