Lighting the Night Watch
October 27 2011
The Rijksmuseum has unveiled a new lighting system for Rembrandt's Night Watch in a bid to get as close to daylight as possible. From the Washington Post:
Pijbes [Wim Pijbes, Director of the Rijksmuseum] said the museum had considered using natural light, but that idea faced insurmountable practical difficulties. It would make it difficult for the more than a million tourists who want to see the painting annually to view it during the many dark months and cloudy days in the Netherlands. Any exposure to direct sunlight was out of the question due to the damage it could cause the canvas, he said.
The painting has been on display in a side wing of the museum for almost a decade as the building undergoes a massive renovation. It is due to return to its place of honor at the center of the museum’s hall of honor next spring.
More here.
