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.
About me
“When civilization is dust and ashes,” he said,
Margaret Atwood, Oryx and Crake
“art is all that’s left over.”
My name is Audrey Boivin, I am an art historian and painting conservator educated at the University of Ghent and the University of Amsterdam. My academic journey in Ghent immersed me in the diverse narratives of art history, instilling in me a deep understanding of art’s evolution and cultural significance. Furthering my passion, I specialized in painting conservation at the University of Amsterdam, blending my historical knowledge with practical conservation skills.
Education
Advanced Professional Programme Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage – Paintings
University of Amsterdam
Master Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage – Paintings
University of Amsterdam
Master of Art History, Musicology and Theatre Studies
University of Ghent (Magna Cum Laude)
Bachelor of Art History, Musicology and Theatre Studies
University of Ghent
Visual Arts and Architectural Design
Sint-Lucas Kunsthumaniora Ghent
Additional Accreditation:
Agent voor de Stralingsbescherming, X-Ray
Workshops:
- Cleaning of fine art surfaces by Paolo Cremonesi
- Mist-lining by Restauratieatelier Antwerpen
- Modern lining techniques by Marie Noelle-Laurent
- Wax-resin lining technique by Michel van de Laar
- Modern picture varnishes by Kate Seymour
- The remedial conservation of panel paintings by Luuk Hoogstede
- Thread-by-thread tear mending by Petra Demuth
- Traditional and elastic methods for tensioning paintings by Antonio Iaccarino Idelson
- Mechanical behaviour of paintings on canvas by Cecilia Gauvin
- Colour theory and perception by Paul Versteeg
- Backing boards and reverse side protection for canvas-supported painting by UvA
- Framing and casing by Ingrid Hopfner
Experience
Intern, Koninklijk Museum voor Schone Kunsten Antwerpen
Jan 2026 – Mar 2026
- Treatment of the painting ‘Krab’ by Walter Vaes.
- Research into metal soap formation and the treatment of paintings displaying this degradation phenomenon.
Researcher, Universiteit Gent
Aug 2024- Aug 2025
- Project: A New Connoisseurship: Smart ways to detect forgeries.
- Research into the detection of forgeries through craquelure analysis.
Trainee Conservator
Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed (RCE), Amersfoort
Sep 2023- Jun 2024
- Internship as part of the Advanced Professional Programme in Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage (Paintings), University of Amsterdam.
- Restoration and conservation interventions on various paintings.
Volunteer Assistant, Amsterdam Wax-Resin Project
University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam
Jul 2022
- Assisted the development of a research database to store and organize data from the research project.
- Performed colour measurements.
- Gained theoretical and practical knowledge on wax-resin lining.
Trainee Conservator
Restauratieatelier Sara Dewilde, Mechelen
Feb 2021 – Jun 2021
- Assisted in cleaning, retouching and varnishing of paintings and frames.
Internship
Ghent Interdisciplinary Centre of Art and Science, Ghent
Feb 2019 – May 2019
- Internship as part of the Bachelor of Art History programme, University of Ghent.
- Developed a library database to store and organize data.
- Conducted art technological research and imaging (VIS, IR, X-ray), resulting in a rapport on the history and condition of a 15th century triptych.
Conference attendance
- European Researchers’ Night – Conservation Restoration of Cultural Heritage (webinar)
2025 - Picture Meeting (as presenter)
RCE, Amersfoort, 2025 - Forging alliances: combatting art crime with public-private partnerships
GRACE, Ghent 2024 - Customer and Object Due Diligence: Managing Risk and Criminal Liability (webinar)
Art Loss Register, 2024 - Picture Meeting
RCE, Amersfoort, 2024 - State of the Art Crime
GRACE, Ghent 2023 - FAKE, False and Real in Museums, Culture and Society
ICOM, Brussels 2023 - Testing the Waters – The Seventh International Institute of Conservation’s Student and Emerging Conservator Conference
ICC-SECC, Amsterdam 2023 - Working Towards a Sustainable Past – 20th Triennial Conference
ICOM-CC , Valencia 2023 - Picture Meeting
RCE, Amersfoort, 2023 - Vermeer Symposium
Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam 2023 - ConNext Student Conference
University of Antwerp & University of Amsterdam 2022