The mantels of the high central Figures, the panels with the angels: overpainted in the 16th century?
Let us emphasize that Hélène Dubois, who supervised phase 2 and now will supervise phase 3, recently published: “…the full mantle of the Deity, a large part of the panels with the angels, and the background of all panels were overpainted in the 16th century…” (Een optische revolutie, 2020, p. 238). In other words: “we will have a lot to scrape off…”.
Fig.: detail of the singing angels in outstanding state of conservation.
The condition of the wings has been controversial in the past: « The laboratory analysis carried out in the 80s by Leopold Kockaert, Luc Maes and Jan Wouters (KIK-IRPA), mostly of existing samples taken in 1951, also disagreed with Paul Coreman’s and Jean Thissen’s conclusions regarding the presence of overpainting. In the view of Kockaert, Maes and Wouters the complex paint layer build-up is original and neither the angel’s nor the Enthroned Deity’s draperies are overpainted”. (Anne van Grevenstein-Kruse and Hélène Dubois, The Ghent Altarpiece Revisited: 2012-2017, in Christina Currie et al., Van Eyck Studies, Paris-Leuven-Bristol, 2017, p. 21).
This is a matter of great concern. Being convinced that the wings with the angels are in excellent condition, a prompt reaction is necessary.
