As the painstaking and sometimes controversial restoration of the Van Eyck brothers’ Mystic Lamb painting continues in Ghent, experts have discovered "significant overpainting" dating from the 16th century.
The Royal Institute for Cultural Heritage (IRPA), overseeing the restoration, has reported that 16th century overpainting has been discovered on the upper panels of the opened altarpiece. It will be removed to uncover the the altarpiece's true colours.
The overpaints are mainly found on the drapery of John the Baptist, Mary, and the deity. Half of the overpaint has already been removed, making the original colours visible again. The central figures are now in harmony with the rest of the altarpiece.
Restoration of the Ghent Altarpiece triptych by Flemish painter Jan van Eyck has been going on since 2012. The process of removing layers of old paint has led to results that have raised some eyebrows.
The central panel titled 'The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb' (one of the most renowned works of the 15th century) was completed in 2019, and sparked controversy as the restored image of a lamb appeared 'alarmingly humanoid'.
Reactions to the restoration, on social media and in real life, describe the eyes of the Mystic Lamb as "shocking." Credit: The Royal Institute for Cultural Heritage
Last year, some experts demanded an immediate halt to the restoration project, voicing concerns about how layers of paint were being scraped away and lost forever.
The restoration team working on the project has said that overpaint, as well as layers of varnish and touch ups which were added over the centuries, are being cleaned to allow the "exceptional technique of the Van Eyck brothers shines brightly once more".
The restoration is now in its third and final phase, and is set to be completed in 2026. The public can follow the restoration in real-time at the open studio in the Museum of Fine Arts in Ghent.
Once completed, the panels will be revarnished, and any damage to the original paint will be retouched using reversible materials.
The project is funded by various Flemish and international partners and executed by a team of specialists using advanced scientific techniques.
