Visit of the Provincial Deputy for Culture and Heritage to SRAL

On the eighth of October 2024, the Deputy for Culture and Heritage Jasper Kuntzelaers of the Province of Limburg made his first visit to SRAL in the Wiebengahal.

Almost 40 years of Heritage Expertise in Limburg

As an introduction, Lydia Beerkens and Frans Jeurissen presented the current organizational structure, the studios, and several ongoing research projects. The rich history of nearly 40 years of Heritage Expertise in Limburg was discussed – from the origins of academic restoration programs in the Netherlands to the advanced technical research and development we carry out with support from the province. During the successful, compact tour, Kuntzelaers immediately grasped the essence of our field: ‘Which historical layer do you go back to with so many overpaintings?’ and: ‘Can you safely remove the second canvas adhered with wax-resin from the painting?’ It also became clear that it can be quite nerve-wracking to take apart a painted panel, say from a Jheronimus Bosch, ‘in several pieces’ in order to reassemble and properly glue it back in place. You need to have the expertise in-house for that. A successful visit, during which themes were discussed that will be further explored in the future.