Iconic Hague Heritage at SRAL Maastricht

The painted wallpapers by Dirk Dalens III, which adorn the walls of the King's Cabinet on Korte Vijverberg in The Hague, are currently undergoing extensive restoration in Maastricht. Commissioned by the Rijksvastgoedbedrijf (State Property Agency), SRAL is leading the restoration of these unique works.

A unique behind-the-scenes look

In the open studio of the Bonnefanten Museum in Maastricht, conservation work can be closely observed until the end of the year. “We are currently in the process of removing the old, degraded layers of varnish,” says Bascha Stabik senior conservator at SRAL. Due to the enormous size of the paintings, the task is substantial: the interior ensemble consist of six panels, each measuring 3.40 meters in height and varying in width. “It is remarkable to see where the varnish layer has been removed and where it remains. The areas still covered in varnish exhibit a warmer, yellow tone, while the regions from which it has been removed reveal cooler colors." The treatment is expected to be finalized by December. The interior pieces will then be transported back to The Hague and reinstalled in their original location in the King's Cabinet.

Lifelike prints

During this conservation, visitors to the King's Cabinet will not be greeted by bare walls. The original wallpapers have been temporarily replaced with lifelike prints that reflect the anticipated final result. This provides a realistic impression of how the walls will appear when the restored wallpapers are reinstalled.