Masterclass on Dutch 17th century cabinets

Master class
The construction of flat decorated doors of Dutch
    seventeenth-century cabinets

Rijksmuseum Amsterdam
Ateliergebouw
4-7 October 2010

Organised by Rijksmuseum Amsterdam in collaboration with Stichting
Ebenist, ICN and UvA. Financially supported by the Migelien
Gerritzen Fund.

In the late seventeenth century a specific type of cabinet was very
popular in the Netherlands: a large two-door cabinet on a stand,
with large flat surfaces and relatively simple mouldings. The
cabinets were specifically designed to provide ample space for
decorations. Decorations were made in many ways and many techniques:
floral, geometrical and architectural marquetry, japanning, lacquer
panels and textile coverings. The cabinets could even be painted.
The construction of the cabinets and especially of the doors was
challenging. Large flat surfaces had to be created, which made it
difficult to use the tried and tested method of panels set into
frames. A great variety of construction methods can be found, with
varying results. Aim of the master class: To provide a thorough
insight into the many variations in the construction of this type of
cabinet; to investigate these constructions, using the naked eye as
well as other methods, such as X-ray photography; to make
construction drawings using 3D design programs; to evaluate the
effectiveness of the constructions, taking into consideration wood
technology and the influence of climatic conditions; to consider
conservation options as well as evaluating previous conservation
treatments. Fifteen cabinets from the Rijksmuseum and other
collections will be objects of research during the master class.
Each participant will thoroughly investigate one door. Programme
Monday 4 October Art historical and technical introduction into the
development of late seventeenth-century cabinets; first
investigations into the construction; X-ray analysis. Tuesday 5
October Introduction into Sketch Up, an easily available and
user-friendly computer program for 3D drawings; making a
construction drawing of at least one door and a detailed report of
the damage of that door. Visit to Rijksmuseum to inspect the floral
marquetry cabinets, one of which is attributed to Jan van Mekeren.
Wednesday 6 October Visit to Amerongen Castle to inspect the two
cabinets, tables and gueridons attributed to Jan van Mekeren;
lectures on: conservation of Rijksmuseum Van Mekeren Cabinet; wood
technology; influence of climatic fluctuations to wooden structures;
concluded by a tour of the castle. Thursday 7 October Each
participant reports the findings on his/her door; discussion of the
sustainability of various constructions; discussion of possible
conservation methods. In the afternoon experienced furniture
conservators will provide short contributions on their past
treatments of this kind of doors, including an evaluation of these
treatments. Lecturers Bart Ankersmit; Reinier Baarsen; Paul van
Duin; Gert van Gerven, Erik Groenhout, Andre Jorissen,Arie Wallert.
On Thursday afternoon: Pol Bruijs; Andrea Coerdt; Jan Paul Folkers,
Nico Hijman; Marijn Manuels; Herman den Otter; Michiel de Vlam.
Cabinets The doors which will be investigated belong to cabinets
from the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdams Historisch Museum, Utrecht Centraal
Museum, Amerongen Castle and private collectors. Participants

This 4-day master class is aimed at professional conservators with
experience in treating furniture with constructional problems. The
number of participants is limited to 20. Active participation is the
aim of the master class. Participants are requested to provide a
brief CV and motivation. The master class is preceding the 10th
International Symposium on Wood and Furniture Conservation:
Restoring Joints, Conserving Structures, organized by Stichting
Ebenist. Cost 450 euros. This includes coffee and tea, lunches, one
dinner, transport to Amerongen Castle. Further information and
application Paul van Duin, Head of Furniture Conservation,
Rijksmuseum, p.van.duin<-at->rijksmuseum<.>nl

Currently there is room for two more participants


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 24:12
                 Distributed: Tuesday, August 10, 2010
                       Message Id: cdl-24-12-012
                                  ***