Archive · 24 Aug 2026
The Ghent Altarpiece Restoration Enters Its Final Phase
The Ghent Altarpiece is a very old and valuable artwork.
It has been stolen several times and has survived political unrest and wars.
Experts have been repairing it since 2012.
They are now working on the upper section of the artwork.
They are carefully taking off paint added later by other artists.
This is helping them see more of the Van Eyck brothers’ original painting.
The restoration received another €319,000 in funding.
It is expected to finish in December 2026, and the artwork should return to St Bavo’s Cathedral in spring 2027.
The Ghent Altarpiece has survived centuries of theft, political upheaval and war.
Its latest restoration began in 2012 and is now focused on the upper register.
Conservators are removing later overpaint to uncover the Van Eyck brothers’ original work.
The project received an additional €319,000 in funding.
Completion is scheduled for December 2026, with a return to St Bavo’s Cathedral expected in spring 2027.
- Who
- Conservators are restoring the Ghent Altarpiece and uncovering the Van Eyck brothers’ original work.
- What
- A long-running restoration is removing later overpaint from the altarpiece’s upper register.
- When
- The restoration began in 2012, is scheduled for completion in December 2026, and is expected to return in spring 2027.
- Where
- The restored altarpiece is expected to return to St Bavo’s Cathedral.
- Why
- To reveal and preserve the Van Eyck brothers’ original work.
- Restoration start
- 2012
- Current work
- The upper register is being restored.
- Conservation method
- Later overpaint is being carefully removed.
- Additional funding
- €319,000
- Scheduled completion
- December 2026
- Expected return
- Spring 2027
- Return location
- St Bavo’s Cathedral