The restoration of the Ghent Altarpiece
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Jan van Eyck’s most famous creation is the Ghent Altarpiece ‘Adoration of the Mystic Lamb’, made for Saint Bavo’s Cathedral in Ghent. Since its first viewing in 1432, the magnificent altarpiece is considered one of the world’s finest art treasures. Unfortunately, it has been the victim of thirteen crimes and seven thefts since its installation. The last piece panel is still missing, but the search is still on.
An exhibition on the work’s rich history, spanning almost six centuries, can be viewed at Ghent’s Caermersklooster (an old convent) for the duration of the restoration period. The exhibition is called ‘The Ghent Altarpiece Revealed’. It will be supplemented with temporary exhibits focusing on specific themes, such as the origin of the wooden panels and the iconography of the work.