The team of restorers at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam made a sensational discovery. With the help of computer technology, a previously hidden sketch was found on the primed canvas of Rembrandt’s “Night Watch”, the most famous painting in the collection: A sketch that provides a precise insight into the history of the work’s creation For two and a half years now, a research team of 30 restorers has been busy […].

The team of restorers at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam made a sensational discovery. With the help of computer technology, a previously hidden sketch was found on the primed canvas of Rembrandt’s “Night Watch”, the most famous painting in the collection: A sketch that provides a precise insight into the genesis of the work

For two and a half years now, a research team of 30 restorers has been meticulously examining the world-famous painting using imaging techniques and computer technology. Museum visitors can look over their shoulders as they work in a glass box. “The Night Watch” belongs to the city of Amsterdam and has been part of the Rijksmuseum collection since 1808. Frans Banninck Cocq, the mayor and captain of the Citizen’s Guard of Amsterdam, commissioned the group portrait of officers and marksmen, which was completed in 1662.

“The discovery of the sketch is a breakthrough,” emphasizes Taco Dibbits, Director of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. Researchers have long suspected that Rembrandt began his complex composition with a sketch – directly on the brown primed canvas. Later, he only made minor changes. For example, he painted over the feathers originally intended for the helmet of the militiaman Claes van Cruijsbergen. Scans also revealed that Rembrandt altered the position of Rombout Kemp’s legs. Originally, a larger number of spears were also intended in the upper right part of the work.

Looking at Rembrandt with different eyes

“Each new detail gives us further insight into Rembrandt’s creative process, his original idea, his thought processes and his material and artistic choices,” said Petria Noble, head of painting conservation. She is delighted that the varnish on the painting is still in excellent condition. However, some not-so-pleasing discoveries also came to light during the examinations. For example, a series of waves that developed across the painting after it was moved during an earlier renovation in 2003.

It will now be removed from the frame for three months and straightened. The depiction of the dog is also marked by decay. The research team had attributed its discoloration to the fact that the paint was decomposing. Instead, they have now discovered that the wear and tear in this part of the painting has led to greater exposure of the newly discovered bright sketch. “All these discoveries make us look at Rembrandt’s paintings with different eyes,” added Noble. “We now know what to look for.”

Reading tip: “Operation Night Watch” is the title of an ambitious project. In July 2019, a team of restorers began researching and restoring Rembrandt’s “Night Watch”. The artwork, one of the centerpieces of the Amsterdam Rijksmuseum, is to be secured for the future. Read more here.

STEIN presents a photo gallery featuring historic tombs from France’s third-largest cemetery.

The mausoleums are falling into disrepair, while the urn fields are expanding

The Cimetière Saint-Pierre is one of the newer cemeteries of its kind: it was established in 1855 and officially inaugurated eight years later. Previously, the people of Marseille buried their loved ones in smaller parish, monastery, or hospital cemeteries—or at the central Saint-Charles Cemetery. Located in the city center, the latter quickly ran out of space and was permanently closed in 1876. Saint-Pierre replaced it, covering an area of 63 hectares.

At first glance, this seems overwhelming. But visitors quickly find their bearings by following the greenery: wherever pine trees grow on small slopes, they are sure to find the historic burial sites. Dozens of renowned French entrepreneurs and artists—including painters, sculptors, and singers—are buried here. Among them is the composer Vincent Scotto. He wished for the following epitaph: “All my life I have composed; today I am decaying.” However, it never came to pass—Scotto’s wife deemed this final wish inappropriate.

Saint-Pierre stands as a striking testament to the changing funeral culture in our neighboring country as well. Extraordinary—and above all, an extraordinary number of—mausoleums, sculptures, and funerary monuments commemorate the cemetery’s heyday—even if some of them are now aging and falling into disrepair in a regrettable state. Huge urn burial grounds down the hillside serve as their modern counterpart.

In total, around 150 employees now work at the cemetery, which contains 100,000 graves. Unusual to German eyes are the cars that, while not numerous, do pass through regularly. Saint-Pierre has a road network totaling 15 kilometers. In Marseille, too, the city administration is working to find solutions for the changing face of cemeteries. Among other initiatives, it has launched grave sponsorship programs and is attempting to catalog as many of the graves as possible in an online database. There is an interactive terminal at the cemetery (and also at the 20 others scattered throughout the city). Interested visitors can use it to search for the graves of famous people—or to find that of a relative on the vast grounds.


The editorial team will continue the series “Impressions from the Cemetery” at irregular intervals—and welcomes suggestions and requests via email to redaktion@stein-magazin.de