The Rijksmuseum has embarked on an extensive restoration project of Rembrandt van Rijn's famous painting, The Night Watch. Dubbed "Operation Night Watch," this effort marks the largest restoration in the artwork’s history. The process began after five years of thorough research that incorporated advanced methods like digital imaging and artificial intelligence.
The restoration commenced with the meticulous removal of a layer of varnish that was applied during a previous restoration in 1975-76. Eight skilled restorers will perform this delicate task in a glass-enclosed space that allows the public to observe the process firsthand. Taco Dibbits, the museum's general director, expressed excitement over this moment, stating, “Removing the varnish will reveal The Night Watch's eventful history.”
Bringing to light the painting’s intricate details, the restoration will use microfibre cloths and cotton swabs. Over the years, The Night Watch, made for Amsterdam's Arquebusiers Guild Hall, has become one of the most recognizable pieces of Dutch Golden Age art, often misinterpreted due to the darkened varnish that led viewers to believe it represented a night scene.
With a significant history of damage — a knife attack in 1911 and again in 1975, along with acid spraying in 1990 — the painting has undergone restoration more than 25 times. This most recent project promises the broadest scope of examination yet, an effort that is sure to reveal more about the artistry of Rembrandt. The Night Watch attracts over two million visitors to the Rijksmuseum each year, and the restoration is expected to enhance its presentation for future audiences.
The restoration commenced with the meticulous removal of a layer of varnish that was applied during a previous restoration in 1975-76. Eight skilled restorers will perform this delicate task in a glass-enclosed space that allows the public to observe the process firsthand. Taco Dibbits, the museum's general director, expressed excitement over this moment, stating, “Removing the varnish will reveal The Night Watch's eventful history.”
Bringing to light the painting’s intricate details, the restoration will use microfibre cloths and cotton swabs. Over the years, The Night Watch, made for Amsterdam's Arquebusiers Guild Hall, has become one of the most recognizable pieces of Dutch Golden Age art, often misinterpreted due to the darkened varnish that led viewers to believe it represented a night scene.
With a significant history of damage — a knife attack in 1911 and again in 1975, along with acid spraying in 1990 — the painting has undergone restoration more than 25 times. This most recent project promises the broadest scope of examination yet, an effort that is sure to reveal more about the artistry of Rembrandt. The Night Watch attracts over two million visitors to the Rijksmuseum each year, and the restoration is expected to enhance its presentation for future audiences.
