A Masterpiece Brought Back to Life: The Restoration of the Ghent Altarpiece
This is arguably the most famous altarpiece in the world—a true masterpiece created by the Van Eyck brothers in 1432.
The artwork consists of 12 painted panels and has been undergoing a rigorous conservation and restoration process since 2012 (yes, for 12 years already!) at the Museum of Fine Arts (MSK) in Ghent.
This ambitious project, which is currently in its final stages, aims to bring the original beauty and grace of the artwork back to life.
Image Note: The conservation team treating the central panel of the altarpiece.
Uncovering the Original Vision
The upper panels of the altarpiece, which depict heavenly scenes with intricate details and rich colors, proved to be particularly challenging to restore. Heritage conservators from the Royal Institute for Cultural Heritage (KIK-IRPA) meticulously removed layers of later additions—known as overpaintings—that had covered the original work in many areas. This delicate work was done in addition to cleaning away centuries of accumulated dirt, soot, and grime, as well as multiple layers of varnish that had severely darkened over time.
The most significant challenge was the removal of dark overpainting dating back to the 16th century. These additions were originally applied to conceal physical damage and to adapt the artwork to the popular aesthetic tastes of the 16th century—a common restoration practice that persisted well into the early 20th century!
Naturally, these historical additions fundamentally altered the Van Eyck brothers' original creation, a practice that directly contradicts modern professional conservation ethics.
Using advanced scientific techniques combined with exacting physical skill, the restorers successfully peeled away these additions layer by layer, without causing any harm to the original paint underneath.
Image Note: An example of how the painting's colors appear after the removal of the dirt and old varnish layers.
Revealing True Genius
As the restoration progresses, the true beauty of the artwork continues to reveal itself. The vivid colors, the intricate details, and the highly innovative techniques employed by the Van Eyck brothers are increasingly coming to light. Remarkably, the general public has been able to follow this incredible restoration process up close at the open studio inside MSK Ghent.
This monumental conservation effort—demanding an extraordinary amount of time, skill, and budget—is a testament to the enduring magic of a true masterpiece. It is also a tribute to the deep dedication of the restorers working tirelessly to preserve their cultural heritage.
By restoring the Ghent Altarpiece, we are not merely preserving a historic artifact; we are gaining a much deeper understanding of the profound artistic genius of the Van Eyck brothers.
The fully restored masterpiece is scheduled to return to its original location by the end of 2026—marking the completion of a remarkable 14-year journey of conservation and restoration!