Kick off Project PoCo

We are excited to announce the launch of Project PoCo (Polychromy Conservation), a three year long project aimed at training the next generation of specialists in the conservation of polychrome objects. Running from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2027, the project focuses on sharing knowledge between junior and senior experts on the preservation of polychrome sculptures found in museums, churches, and monasteries across the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany.

Visit the project page

Bridging Generations: Training Specialists in Polychrome Conservation

With the imminent retirement of the last two polychromy experts in the Netherlands, Project PoCo addresses the urgent need for new specialists. In collaboration with Dutch and European partners, the project adopts a master-apprentice model. Three junior conservators—Ausrine Dambrauskaite, Rosanne Snijders, and Manon Antenbrink—will receive hands-on training over three years, working closely with renowned specialists such as Arnold Truyen and Aleth Lorne.

The project is based at SRAL in Maastricht, with additional internships at leading institutions like the Royal Institute for Art Heritage (KIK-IRPA) in Brussels and the Suermondt Ludwig Museum in Aachen. This partnership will ensure a sustainable transfer of knowledge within a growing professional network.

The selected polychrome objects for conservation span various artistic periods, including the Middle Ages, Renaissance, Baroque, and Neo-Gothic, and require specialized restoration techniques. The project will employ cutting-edge research methods, such as X-ray analysis and 3D reconstructions, to guide the restoration process.

Project PoCo represents a vital step in preserving this rare heritage and equipping a new generation of conservators with the skills needed to continue this important work.

Stay tuned for updates as we progress through this exciting journey!