A new collaboration with Royal Institute for Cultural Heritage (KIK-IRPA)
Since its founding in 1948, KIK-IRPA has been devoted to expert research and meticulous treatment of a wide range of heritage objects, including paintings, sculptures in wood and stone, tapestries, precious metals, glass, and architectural heritage. The building in Brussels that has housed KIK-IRPA since 1962 was the first in the world specifically created to support an interdisciplinary approach to art conservation. Restorers, chemists, engineers, imaging specialists, photographers, and art historians work together, carefully analysing artworks to determine the most appropriate conservation methods and the degree of intervention required, always with respect for historical authenticity.
KIK-IRPA is best known for its top-tier restorations, such as the restoration of the Van Eyck brothers Ghent Altarpiece, yet the more than 100 scientists at the Institute contribute far beyond this, engaging in significant projects at both national and international levels. Scientific research is at the heart of KIK-IRPA’s work. In its state-of-the-art laboratories, advanced tools such as 3D microscopy, macro-XRF, and radiocarbon dating provide crucial insights into the materials and techniques used by artists and craftsmen. The conservation-restoration department applies this knowledge for the extremely precise and careful treatment of heritage treasures, ensuring their proper preservation for future generations.
Great emphasis is placed on thorough documentation and art historical research. The Institute preserves Belgium’s collective visual memory in the online database BALaT, which contains over 1 million photos of cultural heritage, hundreds of thousands of which can be downloaded free of charge.
At BRAFA, the Royal Institute for Cultural Heritage will showcase the many facets of its work, from art conservation and restoration to heritage management and scientific analysis. Visitors can discover how specialists analyse and document artworks, revealing insights into their history and craftsmanship.
At BRAFA, the Royal Institute for Cultural Heritage will showcase the many facets of its work, from art conservation and restoration to heritage management and scientific analysis. Visitors can discover how specialists analyse and document artworks, revealing insights into their history and craftsmanship.
Workshops will be offered daily for the visitors to learn about methods of conserving works of art and explore the technologies used today. Experts will also share exciting discoveries from their research, illustrating how scientific methods and modern technology are opening up new perspectives in the understanding of historic works of art.
Participation in the workshops is by reservation only on the BRAFA website : more information coming soon.
To find out more about KIK-IRPA, visit www.kikirpa.be
Participation in the workshops is by reservation only on the BRAFA website : more information coming soon.
To find out more about KIK-IRPA, visit www.kikirpa.be