Rijksmuseum to Sample Bacteria on Rembrandt's The Night Watch in New Research Project
"Operation Night Watch" is a new initiative by the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, set to span five years, focusing on the examination of bacteria present on Rembrandt's The Night Watch (1642). Over a period of six months, specialists will analyze the painting's surfaces for microbial activity, partnering with Artis-Micropia. The findings will be displayed in an installation titled The Night Watch Lives, which is scheduled to open on 11 November and will include a life-sized replica of the artwork. Katrien Keune, the Rijksmuseum's science head, intends to investigate how visitors' biological materials interact with the painting. Eline van Bloois from Artis-Micropia highlights the significance of understanding microbes, noting their potential benefits to our immune systems.
Key facts
- The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam will sample bacteria on Rembrandt's The Night Watch (1642) for six months as part of the five-year "Operation Night Watch" project.
- The research is conducted in partnership with Artis-Micropia, a microbes museum that is part of Amsterdam zoo.
- Samples will be cultured and presented at Artis-Micropia in the installation The Night Watch Lives, opening on 11 November.
- The installation will feature a life-sized reproduction of The Night Watch, showing which microorganisms live on it and where.
- Katrien Keune, head of science at the Rijksmuseum, says finding Rembrandt's bacteria would be the "Holy Grail".
- Recent research showed Rembrandt used an oil-lead mixture on his canvases, unlike contemporaries who used glue, possibly preventing mould in Amsterdam's damp buildings.
- Masterpieces like The Night Watch are deep-cleaned only about once every 50 years, aside from gentle daily maintenance.
- Eline van Bloois, a microbiologist at Artis-Micropia, hopes the project will improve bacteria's reputation, noting only a tiny fraction of microbes cause illness.
Entities
Artists
- Rembrandt
- Katrien Keune
- Eline van Bloois
Institutions
- Rijksmuseum
- Artis-Micropia
- Amsterdam zoo
Locations
- Amsterdam
- Netherlands