professional painting conservator and art historian, specialising in the conservation and restoration of fine art paintings. professionele restaurator van schilderijen en kunsthistoricus, gespecialiseerd in conservering en restauratie van schilderijen.
PgD Thesis: From Fibre to Surface – Microscopic Assessment of Cotton-Induced Alterations on Paint Mock-Ups
(Supervisor: prof. dr. Klaas Jan van den Berg)
This research establishes a highly reproducible experimental workflow designed to isolate and quantify the mechanical interactions between cleaning swabs and paint films. Central to this methodology is a custom-built reciprocating linear actuator that standardizes key cleaning parameters—including pressure, speed, and stroke count—thereby eliminating the inconsistencies of manual operator variability. To evaluate the microscopic surface effects across various fiber types and solvent systems, a rigorous analytical framework was implemented using HIROX 3D microscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM-SE). By utilizing this automated, multi-modal approach, the study provides a consistent and objective foundation for investigating cleaning-induced surface changes.
Master Thesis: Cracking the Case – The Possibilities of Support Identification Through the Language of Craquelure
(Supervisors: dr. Emilie Froment & prof. dr. Robert Erdmann)
This master’s thesis develops a toolkit for analyzing the craquelure patterns of a painting to potentially identify the hidden or lost support, focusing on panel-to-canvas transfers. The toolkit includes an evaluation list, imaging guidance, crack extraction techniques, mapping of angles and spacing, and intersection characterization. Implemented on selected case studies, it uncovers new insights into craquelure analysis, challenges assumptions about ‘typical’ patterns, and highlights the potential for tracing painting alterations and historical interventions.
Master Thesis: Van Uitzicht tot Inzicht – Restauratie en Conservatie in België ca. 1880 tot 1920
(Supervisor: prof. dr. Maximiliaan Martens)
This thesis investigates art restoration in Belgium during the period of 1880 to 1920, focusing specifically on painting restoration. This era marks a turning point in the field. On one hand, we observe the continuation of 18th-century traditions, while on the other, we see the influence of 19th-century industrialization seeping into conservation and restoration. The study explores how this ‘scientification’ unfolded, utilizing contemporary publications and several museum archives. Additionally, it aims to bring the 19th-century restorers out of obscurity. Who were these individuals responsible for preserving our artworks? What methods did they employ? And what was the general public’s attitude towards them?