A splendid altar
December 2011
The altar has been put back together temporarily and the various restored objects returned to their place; the two putti are back where they belong at the base of the altar columns, six wooden candlesticks are once again on display, as is the magnificently restored tabernacle, and all the way up, the angels with gilt trumpets.
Altarpiece back in place?
Oktober 2011
This week a banner was hung above the altar showing Jacob de Wit’s Baptism in the River Jordan (1716). It is not the actual painting, which is still in one of the big chests behind the altar. While restoration work continues, most of the furnishings and paintings remain stowed away.
This altarpiece gives the altar the appearance of normality, in preparation for the actual refurbishment due to begin soon.
Peat bunker becomes a sacristy
September 2011
The discovery of two doors in the storeroom in our bicycle shed has resulted in a reallocation of what we thought was a peat bunker.
The two old cupboard doors turned out to fit neatly in the side of the museum’s tiny fourth-floor room. Along with traces of a low cupboard on another of the walls, the doors indicate that this had at one time been the church sacristy. When the museum is refurbished, the room will therefore be restored to its original function. The old cupboard doors have been replaced and the low cupboard has been reconstructed.
Examination of the colours used shows that the woodwork behind the altar was originally painted as imitation wood. The motif has been restored by the painters.
Imitation wood requires a special technique: first a light ground is applied, then a layer of yellow-brown with the mock structure of wood brought into the wet paint with a wide long-bristled brush.
Painting the details in colour.
August 2011
The attic church has had its new colour for a while now: caput mortuum. Now to paint the small details.
A new coat for the confessional
July 2011
The confessionals at the back of the church are currently being painted.
Wallpapering the rooms in the back of the church.
June 2011
Behind a partition in the confessionals restorers discovered some old wallpaper. The paper features a red-and-white floral motif on a grey background. The wallpaper in the left confessional is from around 1850.
This and other finds indicate that several rooms in the last of the three houses were decorated with wallpaper. The origin of the wallpaper is being researched.
Church garden
May 2011
On 10 May the museum is celebrating, and various aspects of the restoration programme are being finished in time for festivities to mark the anniversary of the building of the church attic.
The baluster rail found earlier and restored, which cordoned off part of the church floor, has been replaced. This 19th-century division of the floor is known as the church garden.
It was behind this rail that the Catholic ladies from Vredenburg House would sit during mass.
Hat hooks
April 2011
Hat hooks are being attached in the church. One of these planks with knobs is original, and one is imitation. Until recently, these hooks were placed above the chairs at the back of the church. Nobody really knew what they were for and where they were supposed to be. Extensive research has revealed that the hooks were for hats and collection bags and that they belonged above the men’s benches. That is where they will now return.
Harmonizing and marbling the altar
21th of March 2011
Harmonizing the altar means that the dammage in the paint layer from the 19th century will be repaired in order to approach the original marble effect. At the same time the first brushstrokes have been made on one of the two columns. Here, a completely "new" marbling will be applied by restoration painter Leonieke Polman.
An empty house full of stories
17th of March 2011
The construction work on the foundations of the museum will start in april. This will create dust within the building and therefor the collection of paintings and furniture, have been stored.
The now empty house will be filled with stories about the house with the church in the attic, through an audio tour.
Come and visit Our Lord in the Attic with the audio tour ‘An empty house full of stories’. .
The putti will be restored in the church
7th of March 2011
The putti, that will decorate the altar, will be restored. In the mean time, work is being done on the marbling of the alter as well. To achieve a harmoneous result it has been decided to work on these two projects simultaneously.
Preparing the alter for marbling.
24th of February 2011
On one of the columns of the alter, the authentic 19th century marbling has been revealed. The pattern found will be used as an example for the imitation that will be applied on the remaining parts of the alter. The preparations are in full swing. The ground layer has been applied already. An alter that fully resembles the 19th century situation will be the final result.
Restauring the back house
14th of February 2011
A large part of the back house has temporarily been closed to the public due to restoration activities. These activities include work on the staircases, window frames, walls and electrical wiring..
The church is completely pink!
7th of February 2011
The church is now fully covered in the pink colour named Caput Mortuum.The painting will proceed in the rooms behind the alter, amongst others the lady chapel.
Wired work of art
17th of January 2011
To hide the electrical wiring, the electrician and carpenter search for solutions together, like true artists. Each day the two men encounter new challenges. With a creative mind and a thorough knowledge of all the nooks and crannies in the building, they set out to solve these issues. By using excisting holes they do as little damage to the fabric of the building as possible. For example, this weeks project is an electrical route through the chimney near the confession booth.
The window frame in the church, looking onto the courtyard will be replaced.
6th of January 2011
In the lightshaft on the side of the church, water damage has been found in the outer wall and on one of the window frames. The window frame will be replaced and the wall will be repaired. This construction work will be done by the firm Schakel and Schrale. Because of these activities the painting room and the 17th century kitchen will be temporarily closed to the public.
2010: Our Lord in the Attic Museum is in Restoration
Our Lord in the Attic Museum started restoring, refurbishing, expanding and rebuilding. Carefully and step by step. A process which will bring the monument back to its former glory. The museum will still be open to the public during the restoration, so that you can witness the transformation up close. See how century old wooden floors are restored, how plaster is repaired and how the church is painted in a spectacular colour.
