Jheronimus Bosch centrum

P R E S S  R E L E A S E

 

 

The Jheronimus Bosch Art Center has initiated a research project which involves Drs C. Caspers reconstructing the painting 'the Pedlar'. The reconstruction's objective is to inform the public about the development and structure of the painting in a visual manner. Caspers will elucidate her findings in a lecture during the international Jheronimus Bosch conference on 23, 24 and 25 May 2007.

 

Caspers, who works for the Stichting Restauratie Atelier Limburg, has attempted to reconstruct the painting using the same materials as used in the original. In this way she has tried to recreate Bosch's technique and method as closely as possible. The Pedlar is owned by Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen in Rotterdam. It was essential to become acquainted with the museum's technical file on the painting (which includes X-rays and IRRs) before starting the reconstruction. Furthermore, a microscopic study was an option and literature study was carried out into Jheronimus Bosch's painting technique. The preparatory research confirmed, for example, that Bosch first created a drawing, but then deviated from this whilst painting.

 

The end result of the research project consists of four versions of the Pedlar, each of which can be viewed in two stages of completion. Side-by-side, they provide a clear impression of how the work came about. The panels will become part of the Jheronimus Bosch Art Center's permanent presentation together with a film impression of the reconstruction.