Dutch Room Restoration

While it is difficult to choose any single favorite artwork from Isabella Stewart Gardner’s collection, one of my favorites hangs in the Dutch Room gallery—an impressive painting by a very young Rembrandt van Rijn, who died in October 355 years ago. Purchased by Isabella in 1896, Rembrandt’s Self-Portrait, Age 23 is the piece that solidified Isabella's decision to build a public museum.?

His portrait was the cornerstone for this gallery, although his surroundings now don’t look like they did over 100 years ago when the painting was first installed. Not only were six of the 13 works from the 1990 theft taken from this room, but time itself has faded much of the gallery’s splendor. In September, we announced plans for an extensive gallery restoration of the Dutch Room.?

This floor-to-ceiling project will encompass works of art and architectural elements, including:?

• Restoration of select paintings, frames, sculptures, and furniture
• Treatment of the 16th-century Italian painted ceiling
• Reproduction of original wall textiles and chair upholstery
• Conservation of terracotta floor tiles
• Installation of a new energy efficient lighting system

By early 2027, young Rembrandt will look out over a room beautifully restored, much closer to Isabella’s original vision, and ready to welcome back the stolen works when they someday return to their rightful home.

Since I joined the Gardner Museum as its director in 2016, the Museum has embarked on five floor-to-ceiling restoration projects in our historic galleries, which have brought them closer to Isabella’s intent and helped preserve her collection for generations to come. As part of our five-year Strategic Plan, the Dutch Room is the Palace’s last major gallery to undergo a full restoration, preceded most recently by the Titian Room (completed in 2021). I am eager to share with you the stories and histories we may unearth as we carry out our ongoing commitment to Isabella’s ambition of a Museum “for the education and enjoyment of the public forever.”