Operation Night Watch would not be possible without dozens of benefactors. The support provided by private individuals, funds, the government and businesses is essential to the Rijksmuseum, certainly in the case of such a major project. But why do they choose to support Operation Night Watch?

My Night Watch

Thierry Vanlancker, CEO of AkzoNobel: The first time I heard about Operation Night Watch from Taco Dibbits I was immediately enthusiastic. That painting has got important symbolic value for the Netherlands: it’s the pride of the nation. It’s as a company with a long history in the Netherlands that we are the main partner – we were founded in 1792, so we’re a bit younger than The Night Watch. It’s wonderful to be able to contribute to the conservation of such an important work of art.

AkzoNobel has been a partner of the Rijksmuseum since 2010. What binds us is our passion for paint. In 2017, when we were first approached for Operation Night Watch, the company had lost a bit of its sheen, so the restoration of The Night Watch was a really good match with us: we’re helping restore the painting, and Operation Night Watch is helping us get our old lustre back.

So far, the partnership has brought us everything we wanted. Our researchers provide important support in many areas, and we learn from each other. The whole world knows about The Night Watch. I was talking about it recently with a few of our Asian partners, and they said their visit to The Night Watch in the Gallery of Honour was an almost sacred experience. That’s when you really discover how the aura of The Night Watch shines on us as well.

We embarked on this partnership three years ago, and although the pandemic slowed things down a little, we’ve still got a year ahead of us. We’re definitely intending to get to the finish line together – you wouldn’t want to take off your boots before the final whistle blows.