PoCo Site Visit: Limburgs Museum Venlo

A PoCo site visit involves spending a day at one of the partner museums to learn about the sculpture collection, view pieces in the depot, and examine a few sculptures in more detail.
The second PoCo site visit took place at the Limburgs Museum in Venlo. During the visit, the team and the three specialists in training viewed several sculptures and examined four in more detail.

preliminary research

The day began with an introduction to the museum by Sjak Draak. This museum was established in 1993 after the merge between the Goltzius Museum and the Limburgs Volkskundig Centrum. The museum focuses on the cultural history of Limburg. The collection not only originates from the merged museums but has also been acquired from the art trade to complete the collection. The museum has approximately one hundred sculptures, 25 of which still retain substantial polychromy.   

During the visit, several sculptures were viewed and four were examined in more detail. The examination was carried out with the naked eye, a UV lamp, and a Dino-Lite microscope. The following sculptures in “De Keukenzaal” were examined: Sedes Sapientiae, Anna-te-drieën, Saint Dymphna, and a crucifix. The results of this day's examination of each sculpture have been recorded in a report. This is preliminary research that may be helpful in making choices for further research, taking conservation measures, and/or carrying out restoration work.