School programme

SRAL staff are regularly invited to serve as guest teachers at primary schools in Limburg. Through engaging stories of research and discoveries, we take children on a journey behind the artwork. To teach them how to observe details and mix colors, the pupils participate in hands-on activities by "retouching" a mock-up painting.

Today I am a conservator

A conservator is someone who loves beautiful things and art and enjoys working with their hands. However, being a conservator also requires a passion for research and a willingness to delve into books. Using technical tools like ultraviolet light, X-rays, and infrared reflectography, conservators work almost like detectives. They can restore paintings that are in poor condition and make them look almost as good as new. Precise work is essential for a conservator.

The conservators at SRAL are experts in this field and will share their knowledge in an engaging workshop. They will explain the common issues that affect the condition of paintings over time, such as yellowed varnish, woodworm, cracks, and flaking paint. They will bring their tools and discuss the fascinating discoveries they have made.

Children will use this information to restore a section of a painting themselves later in the workshop. SRAL has prepared a copy of a panel painting from the museum, and it is up to the children to retouch the white spots, or "missing paint". This hands-on activity teaches careful work, eye-hand coordination, and color mixing, with individual help from the SRAL staff member.

Participants will gain insight into the daily life of a restorer and learn the basics of color theory.

Are you a teachre and want more inforation? Get in touch with info@sral.nl about this workshop.