AU · International contemporary art platformThe Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) in Boston will soon allow visitors to watch the year-long conservation of Nicolaes Eliasz Pickenoy’s 1625 painting, "The Founders of the Amsterdam Wine Merchants Guild." The restoration begins on 9 December 2026 and will take place in a pop-up studio inside the MFA’s Center for Netherlandish Art’s Innovation Gallery.
The painting, acquired by the museum in 2025, depicts the six founding members of the Amsterdam Wine Merchants Guild, an organisation that operated until the late 18th century. This work is a notable example of Dutch Golden Age portraiture.
Throughout the restoration, conservators, scientists, art historians, and curators will rotate through the studio, allowing museumgoers to observe different stages of the process. The public will have the opportunity to see firsthand the techniques and collaboration involved in conserving a historic artwork.
This initiative is designed to engage visitors with the complexities of art conservation and to provide insight into the expertise required to preserve cultural heritage. By making the process visible, the MFA aims to foster greater appreciation for both the painting and the work of conservation professionals.
The live conservation project will run for a year, offering ongoing educational experiences for all who visit the museum during this period.
Why it matters