The Städel Museum announced the start of extensive conservation and restoration measures, supplemented by intensive scientific research, on one of the most important works in its collection: The Blinding of Samson (1636) by Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn. Previous restorations and natural ageing processes have left their mark on the monumental history painting, measuring over two meters in height and more than three meters in width. The conservation and restoration measures now planned, which will take place over the next three to four years, offer a great opportunity to bring Rembrandt’s masterpiece back to life in all its depth and expressiveness.

Planning for this project began as part of the exhibition Call Me Rembrandt! Creativity and Competition (2021–22). Jochen Sander, Head of German, Dutch and Flemish Paintings before 1800, emphasizes: “With the special exhibition, Call Me Rembrandt! Creativity and Competition, and the accompanying research colloquium, ‘Rembrandt in the Mirror of New Technological Investigations’, the results of which were recently published in ArtMatters. International Journal for Technical Art History, we have not only opened up new perspectives on Rembrandt’s work but also laid the foundation for a further research project. This project is the logical next step in the scientific examination of a major work in our Old Masters Collection.”

The project’s goal is to restore Rembrandt’s painting to its original intensity while ensuring the long-term preservation of the painting’s substance. Every measure will be carefully tailored to the original techniques and materials in order to preserve the work as intended by the artist.