A large team of specialists—scientists, curators, conservators, computer and AI specialists—began their research in 2019. Two and a half years later, they finally moved into Phase Two. The assignment? To restore a 12’ x 14.5’ painting titled The Night Watch (1642), by Rembrandt.
Example of equipment used during research phase, while museum visitors watched.
In 2022 a team removed the painting from its wooden stretcher (applied in the 1970s) and re-stretched it on an aluminum frame with springs, to keep the tension evenly distributed.
Beginning in November 2024 and still in process, conservators work to remove the varnish layers from the 1970s and 1990s, clouding the painting with a yellowish cast, muting the colors, and obscuring details. The task is accomplished with microfiber fiber tissue prepared with solvent.
Imagine the resplendence of Rembrandt’s work when the restoration is complete!
Once these layers are removed, the team will determine whether older layers of varnish can be removed, and what solvent will work best. They’ll also switch from the tissues to cotton swabs, and slowly but surely reveal the beauty that lies beneath.
What details might conservators discover for this soldier?
They’ll also address damage caused by knife attacks and deterioration of the paint. The team expects to conclude in 2027-28.
The world is filled with masterpieces in need of restoration—and not just ancient works of art. These masterpieces include you, me, and all mankind. Scripture tells us we are God’s workmanship–“his own master work, a work of art” (Ephesians 2:10 AMP).
But like The Night Watch, our true selves are clouded and discolored by self-centeredness, discontentment, unforgiveness, and more. We too need restoration, and God himself has engineered the way for us to be made new:
Those layers of the old life include harmful actions like a quick temper, unhealthy thought-patterns like worry, and unwholesome choices like holding a grudge. As they’re removed, the lustrous colors of the fruit of the Spirit begin to shine through—love, joy, peace, patience, and more.
And just as conservators are finding new details in The Night Watch, we find newness of life in our relationship with God—new perspectives and purposes, new desires and motives, new goals and passions, new hopes for the future and new power to face whatever comes.
The process does take time, as if God works with a Q-tip. But that’s because he works with gentleness and patience to mature us.*
I suppose if a painting could feel all that rubbing (gentle as it may be), there’d be discomfort. But it wouldn’t take long for hope to settle in—hope for the day when the beauty of what lies beneath becomes visible— when every lovely detail is revealed and the colors glow with vibrancy.
Surely the painting would decide: the results are worth the process. How much more should we welcome the restorative work of God, knowing that submission to him turns:
- Deafness in our spirits to sensitivity for God’s voice
- Blindness to God’s involvement in our lives to seeing the evidence of his work nearly everywhere
- Disinterest in the Bible to hunger for truth
- Immature understanding to growth in wisdom
- An appetite for material possessions to a desire for spiritual depth
- Anxious thoughts to faith-filled affirmations from scripture
How do we begin to experience such restoration? It begins with time—time set aside most days to spend in the presence of our Restorer.
We can also learn to practice God’s presence all day long—with frequent whispered prayers, moments of praise, and words of gratitude.
Slowly but surely what lies beneath is exposed, because:
It is impossible to be in the presence of Jesus and not be changed.
–Joanna Weaver, Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World, 9.
* Romans 2:4; Isaiah 40:11; Psalm 103:8, 13, 14 HCSB.
Image credits: http://www.commons.wikimedia.org; http://www.picryl.com (2); http://www.heartlight.org (2); http://www.commons.wikimedia.org.
Sources of information for The Night Watch restoration:
https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en/whats-on/exhibitions/operation-night-watch
https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en/stories/10-things/story/10-things-about-rembrandt-s-night-watch
https://www.france24.com/en/20181016-rembrandt-masterpiece-night-watch-be-restored-live
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Such a wonderful analogy, Nancy! Yes, God will work long, hard and patiently to restore each of His beloved children to Himself if we submit to Him and His will. Oh, I can’t wait to see the luster of our souls with clean, refreshed clarity, the way God sees us. Blessings always!
Thank you, Martha. How resplendent we will be at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, when our restorations will be complete!
When the harmful layers of the old life are removed, “the lustrous colors of the fruit of the Spirit begin to shine through—love, joy, peace, patience, and more.” I love this! Thank you for a very interesting and informative analogy. 🙂
Thank you, Nancy. Praise God for his inspiration all along the way! To be honest, I struggled with a conclusion, and then it occurred to me how I could rework what I already had to draw the post to a close. We both know where that idea came from!
🙏✝️🙏
Wonderful story of how God cleans away the layers of darkness in us through the cleansing of our sins. My husband sometimes painted over an existing finished piece. He said if someone ever X-rays his work they might find three or four paintings in one.
Thank you, Kathy. I suppose there’s an analogy we could draw from your husband’s three-layered paintings, taken from the Apostle’s Paul’s statement about “being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory” (2 Corinthians 3:18)!
Yes indeed ❤️
Lovely analogy of God’s work of sanctifying us. It reminded me of the verse that says He who began a good work in us will begin to it to completion.
Have a wonderful weekend ahead, Nancy.
Thank you, Manu. I love that verse you mentioned, Philippians 1:6. A copy of it resided on our refrigerator years ago. It provided such hope and encouragement–and still does!
Fascinating information and great analogy!
Thank you, Vickie. Praise God for his inspiration!
This is such a great post, Nancy. So practical. And so hope-filled. I especially like the 6 things that submission to God csn bring into our lives. I didn’t know anyone had ever varnished over old masterpieces. What a shame!
Thank you, Sheila. As always, I have to praise God for his inspiration and the way he brings various elements together for each blog post. (No doubt you feel the same!) As for varnishing paintings, artists still do that today to protect the paint and add sheen, but now we have archival varnishes that can be removed later as needed.
Nancy, a wonderful analogy! The time it will take to restore this work of art is a reminder of the time and patience that our Father in heaven restores us, it is not a quick fix to our sin problem but a daily working on us and in us!
Thank you, Pam. You are so right: God’s restoration is a daily working on us and in us “to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose” (Philippians 2:13). Praise God for his perseverance and patience with us!
I love this image. and your quote: The process does take time, as if God works with a Q-tip. But that’s because he works with gentleness and patience to mature us.*
I was thinking about how slow and precise this all is and how we ARE works in progress. Give ourselves and others grace.
Thank you, Jean. You make such a good point: God works with precise intentionality, customizing his involvement to each person’s needs, personality, and purpose–probably more. You’re also spot-on with your reminder that we need to give ourselves and others grace! Thank you so much for adding your insights here!
What a wonderful analogy! The restoration process of the Rembrandt will take so long, but those doing it know this, know to be patient, and recognize what will be required of them to get the job done. I need to be aware of God’s process–not always as gentle as a Q-tip, but gentle in His dealings with me in light of my brokenness. This is really excellent, Nancy. Thank you.
Praise God your found the post meaningful, Dayle. You’ve got me thinking about those conservators tackling a job that is painstakingly slow. In my imagination I can hear them celebrating every step of progress, each new detail that’s uncovered. Perhaps we should celebrate each time we keep hurtful words to ourselves, turn our minds from discontentment to gratitude, or embrace an interruption that God may use for kingdom-purpose!
Really interesting, and I love your analogy. I think God is going to need a lot of Q-tips for me!!
Aw, Dana–God no doubt needs a lot of Q-tips for all of us! My prayer would be that, as the years go by, he uses less and less!
Yes!
❤️ Great analogy! Thanks
Thank you, Sue. Praise God for his inspiration!
What a beautiful post, Nancy! We are works in need of restoration. Thank you for the reminder to dedicate time in the presence of the restorer!
Thank you, Wynne. Just imagining myself as an old (!) painting being restored day by day by God is a source of hope and encouragement!
Great analogy, Nancy. The painstaking process of restoring a painting reminds me of God’s patience and gentleness with me through all of my anxious moments. This past week has left me shaken as I have been dealing with various problems involving the internet, phones, etc. So much unfamiliarity with this modern tech-centered world is a real challenge. I know I should take every concern to Him and leave it with Him, but my lack of strong faith has me grabbing my problems back instead of allowing Him to work things out for the best. This post is of great value to me. Thank you.
Phone and internet problems AGAIN?! How frustrating! I’m right with you, Cheri, when it comes to unfamiliarity with techonology. Praying for God’s intervention, that this newest setback will quickly be resolved! Meanwhile, I’m grateful this post provided value for you.
Yup! The hits just keep on coming! But God keeps on providing me strength and peace! This time involved my Mom’s new Lively phone. PTL He put the thought in my head to ask my grand-niece Destini who is 21 and was very, very helpful!
Oh yes–ask a Gen-Xer, Millennial, or younger!! 😁
A beautiful, meaningful post, Nancy. I was struck by the three aspects that “cloud and discolor” us because I am guilty of all three. I also like “as if God works with a Q-tip”; time heals all if we’re only willing to be patient and open to his work in us. Rembrandt’s painting is (and will be again) a stunning work of art. Hopefully many of us can make the same claim about ourselves and each other at the end of our days.
Your honesty and humility are to be commended, Dave. Those three sins that “discolor” our souls–self-centeredness, discontentment, and unforgiveness–are certainly common among most of us, including my own spirit from time to time. Praise God he never gives up on us!
This process of restoration by God is lifelong. Many lies we absorb in our youth have a terrible impact on our lives. They need to be uncovered and removed before we can see ourselves as God sees us, i.e. as His beloved children.
Yes indeed–we are precious and honored in his sight (Isaiah 43:4)! Otherwise, why would he offer his Son as a sacrifice to die in our place? Why would he gently and patiently work to refine us? Would that every child absorbed the truth of God’s tender love and attentive care for them!
I don’t know who or what I would be without God’s deep restorative work!
Agreed, Michele. I hate to think how my life would have unfolded without Christ!
I read recently, I don’t know where, that we can’t change ourselves, but God can change us. That fits right in with what you wrote. I want to be the restored person in your list!
You’ve reminded me what I read about Ben Franklin years ago. He determined to improve himself, one positive attribute at a time. He even kept a journal to track his progress. He couldn’t do it. Praise God he’s willing to take us on as his restoration projects! 😁
Wow! Your post truly illuminates that we are all ‘works in progress’. It is God’s own hand that paints the strokes of new beginnings for us. Thank you for this beautifully written post! I will come back to read it yet again…so inspirational.
Thank you, Linda. Praise God you found inspiration here!