On 8 and 9 November 2018, the Rijksmuseum will host an international symposium on the history of conservation of paintings by Rembrandt van Rijn. The aim is to heighten awareness of how the appearance and condition of paintings by Rembrandt can (partly) be explained by their treatment history. The symposium is organized on the occasion of the research and treatment of the portraits of Marten Soolmans and Oopjen Coppit by Rembrandt van Rijn, jointly owned by the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam and the Musée du Louvre in Paris.

From the Rijksmuseum, 21 March 2018

Important masterpieces in museum collections, such as the paintings by Rembrandt, often have the dubious honour to have undergone numerous conservation treatments in the past. Because of the significance of the paintings, these treatments are generally well documented. Every country has its own traditions, developments and approaches to conservation, with important restorers who have played a key role in the treatment and appearance of Rembrandt paintings.

We welcome poster contributions that address aspects relating to the conservation history of paintings by Rembrandt or other Dutch 17th-century masters. Authors will be given the opportunity to present their poster in a 5-minute pitch.

30 May 2018 – Deadline to submit poster abstracts
15 June 2018 – Notification of acceptance to authors

More information about the symposium can be found here.