De Mayerne

The De Mayerne programme aims to increase knowledge of ageing processes in coats of paint and varnish of paintings dating from between the early 15th and the late 19th century.

The key ambitions of the De Mayerne programme are:

• To create a strong multidisciplinary central research programme for technical studies in art history and molecular conservation studies of art objects in the Netherlands.
• To increase understanding of painters’ techniques, ageing processes in art works and the effects of conservation work¾which are all of great significance for preserving our cultural heritage.
• To increase and strengthen cooperation between the physical sciences and the science and history of art.

De Mayerne builds on the knowledge gained previously through MOLART (Molecular Aspects of Ageing in Art, 1995-2000) of the molecular and paint structure of Dutch works of art. De Mayerne’s research themes are grouped into clusters to optimise the joint efforts of the participating institutes and the interpretation of the future research results.

No new applications can be submitted; there will be no new subsidy round.

Extra Information

In De Mayerne’s first round in 2002 1.6 million euro was awarded to 5 projects belonging to 5 project clusters. In the second round in June 2003 the rest of the budget was awarded to one new project cluster and to 3 projects building on research done in the existing clusters. With that, the total budget of around 2.1 million euro is spent.