Operation Night Watch

The Night Watch remains on view in all its glory as research on the painting continues. Rembrandt’s masterpiece is currently hanging on the wall at the rear of the glass chamber so we can examine the upper area of the canvas.

WHAT’S GOING ON RIGHT NOW

We are currently studying the effect of vibrations on the canvas, and how to minimise any possibility of movement in the canvas itself.

We are also looking into the best way of removing the varnish – the protective layer covering the painting – without causing any damage to the paint itself.

The Night Watch: visibility temporarily reduced

Operation Night Watch offers a unique opportunity for visitors to follow the restoration of Rembrandt’s masterpiece live at the Rijksmuseum. We are currently studying the effects of vibrations on the canvas and how we can minimise any chance of movement in the canvas. These activities are temporarily reducing the visibility of The Night Watch. This work is an essential step in the restoration process, and we are unfortunately unable to avoid reducing visibility of the painting . This phase of the research project will continue until mid-September.

ABOUT OPERATION NIGHT WATCH

Operation Night Watch is the biggest and most wide-ranging research project ever conducted into Rembrandt’s masterpiece. The Rijksmuseum is carrying out this research in collaboration with experts from our partner AkzoNobel. The project’s aim is to conserve the painting for the future in the best way possible. The research began in summer 2019 and is continuing in full view of the visiting public in a specially designed glass chamber.

The team

Robert van Langh
Head Conservation & Science

Susan Smelt
Paintings Conservator

Katrien Keune
Head of Science

Robert Erdmann
Senior Scientist

Annelies van Loon
Paintings Research Scientist

Francesca Gabrieli
Junior Science

Victor Gonzalez
Junior Science

Carola van Wijk
Photographer

Henni van Beek
Photographer

Petria Noble
Head of Paintings Conservation

Lisette Vos
Paintings Conservator

Esther van Duijn
Paintings Conservator

Anna Krekeler
Paintings Conservator

Giulia de Vivo
Paintings Conservator

Ige Verslype
Paintings Conservator

Laura Raven
Junior Paintings Conservator

Nienke Woltman
Junior Paintings Conservator

Gregor Weber
Head of Fine and Decorative Arts

Jonathan Bikker
Curator of 17th-century Dutch paintings

Pieter Roelofs
Head of Paintings and Sculpture

Erma Hermens
Professor

We thank

Operation Night Watch is made possible by The Bennink Foundation, C.L. de Carvalho-Heineken, PACCAR Foundation, Piet van der Slikke & Sandra Swelheim, American Express Foundation, Familie De Rooij, Het AutoBinck Fonds, TBRM Engineering Solutions, Dina & Kjell Johnsen, Familie D. Ermia, Familie M. van Poecke, Bruker Nano Analytics, Henry M. Holterman Fonds, Irma Theodora Fonds, Luca Fonds, Piek-den Hartog Fonds, Stichting Zabawas, Cevat Fonds, Johanna Kast-Michel Fonds, Marjorie & Jeffrey A. Rosen, Stichting Thurkowfonds, Familie Van Ogtrop Fonds, FedEx Express, Airbnb, NICAS, the Night Watch Fund, the City of Amsterdam and the Amsterdam Museum.

Main partner