HK · International contemporary art platformThe Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) in Boston will offer visitors the chance to watch the live conservation of Nicolaes Eliasz Pickenoy’s 1625 painting, "The Founders of the Amsterdam Wine Merchants Guild." This year-long restoration project begins on December 9, 2026.
The painting, acquired by the museum in the previous year, depicts the six founding members of the Amsterdam Wine Merchants Guild, a trade organization that operated until the late 18th century. The artwork is a group portrait from the Dutch Golden Age, highlighting Pickenoy’s detailed style.
To engage the public, the MFA has set up a pop-up studio in the Center for Netherlandish Art's Innovation Gallery. Conservators, scientists, art historians, and curators will rotate through the space, allowing visitors to observe various stages of the restoration process.
This initiative offers an educational look at the complex work involved in preserving historic art. Visitors can see firsthand the collaboration among experts dedicated to maintaining the painting’s condition.
The live conservation project demonstrates the MFA’s commitment to transparency and public involvement in art preservation, providing a rare behind-the-scenes experience for museumgoers.
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