Paintings Group: Operation Night Watch, Conserving Rembrandt’s masterpiece at Rijksmuseum

Petria Noble

Head of Paintings Conservation, Conservation & Science Department, Rijksmuseum

Petria Noble who is originally from Australia, undertook post-graduate training in conservation at the Institute of Fine Arts, New York University. This was followed by an internship at the MET in New York. In 1996 she was appointed Conservator of Paintings at the Mauritshuis, The Hague. From 2005-2014 as Head of Conservation at the Mauritshuis she initiated or was involved in numerous research projects. She took up her current position as Head of Paintings Conservation at the Rijksmuseum in September 2014. Since joining the Rijksmuseum she has expanded the department laying more emphasis on technical study and the treatment history of paintings, and how these aspects contribute to a deeper understanding of the material aspects and condition of works of art. Over the course of her career, she has treated a number of major paintings by Rembrandt van Rijn, including The Anatomy Lesson of Dr Nicolaes Tulp, Laughing Man, Susanna, Homer, Saul and David and the portraits of Marten Soolmans and Oopjen Coppit. Her current research focus is The Night Watch. She has published numerous articles on technical aspects of Rembrandt paintings and has lectured regularly throughout her career.