“We don’t know much about how Rembrandt
made this painting. And now we hope to
discover more and really get a glimpse into the
kitchen of the artist,” he added.
The 1642 painting last underwent significant
restoration 40 years ago after it was slashed by
a knife-wielding man and is starting to show
blanching in parts of the canvas.
The painting has undergone many retouches
and restorations in the past and some of the
later additions are starting to fade.
Before the latest restoration can begin, experts
will photograph and scan the painting to
evaluate its condition.
They will build up a detailed digital picture by
merging 12,000 separate images as well as using
X-ray technology to peer through the surface.
A macro X-ray fluorescence scanner began
taking a series of images, said Petria Noble, Head
of Paintings Conservation at the Rijksmuseum.
“Each type of technique will give us some
information that we then need to put together
and interpret all the information together and
what that means for the painting.” Noble said.
More than 2 million people each year visit the
Rijksmuseum, which has the world’s largest
collection of Rembrandt works. The Golden Age
master is known for his innovative use of light
and rebellious compositions.
The restoration project comes in a year that
marks the 350th anniversary of the artist’s death
in 1669 and is part of a “Year of Rembrandt” at
the museum.