Het Huys ten Donck — Cleaning Monumental Paintings in a Historic Mansion

For the past week, the paintings student have been on an extraordinary rollercoaster of paint and history at the fabulous Huys ten Donck! We had the rare opportunity to work onsite hand in hand with our peers in historical interiors to perform a cleaning campaign on the Trophies series – 8 monumental wall-hanging paintings attributed to the painter N.J. Delin (1741-1803) from Antwerp. They're part of an ensemble that includes three plaster upper door pieces and a ceiling crafted by the legendary stucco master, Pietro Castoldi (1739-1794). The entire ensemble unveils an allegory of the Treaty of Aachen (1748).

Here’s the kicker – these paintings are giant compared to what we’re used to on easels. So, what did we have to master during this art escapade? The art of climbing and working on scaffoldings. Phew! Who would've thought painting conservation could be this much of a workout?

Our week at Het Huys ten Donck was more than a restoration project; it was an expedition through time within a Rococo masterpiece. Built in 1746 by Rotterdam's Mayor Otto Groeninx van Zoelen, this mansion replaced a 1616 castle, becoming a summer retreat and reception house for the Groeninx van Zoelen family.

By the 1920s, W.G. Groeninx van Zoelen, the 7th generation heir, transformed it into a permanent residence with electricity and heating. Willem Gerrit made significant modifications and installed bathrooms, shaping the mansion we see today. Catharina Groeninx van Zoelen, the 9th generation, continues the legacy, residing there with her family. The mansion's original purpose, to receive and entertain guests. Since the 1980s, the Huys ten Donck Foundation opened its doors to the public, hosting various celebrations.

Farewell dinner hosted by the family

As we restore the Trophies series, we're not just preserving art; we're contributing to the ongoing narrative of a mansion that stands as a beacon of history and family warmth. Look at me: fully immersed in the beauty of the mansion and appreciation for a fascinating episode in history!