The Ghent Altarpiece: A Masterpiece Under Construction

One of the greatest, grandest and most complex works of art in our human history has been under an extensive restoration since 2016. I had the pleasure of viewing the European masterpiece in person ... however in sections and seperated by the city of Ghent. 

_{Jan van Eyck, 'Sacrifice of the Lamb,' closed polyptych c. 1432}

The famed 'Sacrifice of the Lamb’, better known as the 'Ghent Altarpiece', is widely recognized as one of the greatest paintings in existence. The work was created by brothers Hubert van Eyck and Jan van Eyck from 1430-1432, and rests in the impressive Saint Bavo’s Cathedral in Ghent, Belgium. 

The giant polyptych consists of 12 panels, 4 of which make up the central composition. The other 8 make up the folding wings and were therefore decorated on both sides, seeing as the altarpiece would only be opened on Sundays and holidays.

One of the reasons why the piece is considered to be on of the greatest paintings ever made is due to the use of innovative techniques. Aside from being some of the very first artists to use oil paint, the brothers also primed the panels with a white emulsion, after which the layers of paint were carefully added one by one. This technique allowed the light to penetrate through to the white surface, resulting in a beautiful illuminative effect and the appearance of a glossy finish.

_{Saint Bavo's Cathedral, Ghent, c. 942 AD} 

Over the past several years, the magnificent art work has been under an equally magnificent restoration process undertaken by the Royal Institute for Cultural Heritage (KIK-IRPA). The Institute is treating the panels and frames of the register, on the opened polyptych.

The altarpiece has had a turbulent history, dealing with theft, looting and great fires to name a few, and is now in the hands of the Museum voor Schone Kunsten (The Museum of Fine Arts in Ghent) while it undergoes extensive treatment. This is not the first time that the polyptych has undergone restoration, in fact it has gone through many over the years including an extensive treatment from 1950-1951 by the Central laboratory of Belgian Museums.

The panels currently being treated, and pictured below include, the Just Judges, the Knights of Christ, the Adoration of the Mystic Lamb, the Hermits and the Pilgrims.

The current project is ongoing, for the first phase of treatment for the exterior wings of the polyptych was finished in September 2016, and the second phase of restoration is currently underway at The Museum of Fine Art in Ghent.

The restoration process is very calculated and well researched. The work begins with a thorough examination of the paintings, in order to see the amount of varnish buildup, retouching, and overpainting. Through innovative scientific and chemical imaging such as X-radiography, infrared reflectography and macro-XRF, the Institute is able to thoroughly analyse the complexity of the nearly 600 year-old painting.

Following this in-depth analysis, the restorers proceed to remove all dirt and residue from the varnish. They then must remove all the modern varnishes, which have yellowed over the years due to oxidation. This process is followed by various cleaning tests, using mixtures of organic solvents, in order to ensure the best results.

The entire restoration project spans 7 years, divided into three phases of approximately 1 and a half years. It began in 2012 and will likely be completed in 2019. When the panels are not being worked on, they are displayed behind glass for the public. We highly recommend a visit, everybody loves a good before-and-after picture after all...

For more art have a look here at Gallerease!