Cuypers in the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam

The official opening of the Rijksmuseum in April 2013 marked the culmination of a decade-long project for SRAL: the restoration of the interior.

Hidden interior

In 2002, SRAL was commissioned by the Rijksgebouwendienst to research the original decorative paintings of the Rijksmuseum's interior. Based on these findings, the painted wall decorations designed by Pierre Cuypers were reconstructed in the main rooms, including the Front Hall, Gallery of Honour, Night Watch Gallery, and Library. Over ten years, 17 conservators and decoration painters, along with nearly 70 trainees, participated in this project.

Including paintings

Between 2000 and 2013, 71 large-format paintings by Georg Strum were treated at the studios in Maastricht, primarily at the Bonnefanten studio. After years of neglect, many of these severely damaged paintings underwent intensive restoration, returning the historical and mythological scenes to their former state. Alongside Cuypers' original wall decorations, these restored paintings, returned in 2012, completed the historic interior once again.