Johan Thorn Prikker's Damaged Wall Painting
An important work in the exhibition dedicated to Johan Thorn Prikker is the study ‘The Harbour Company’ from 1917. It is a design for a mural in the Town Hall of Rotterdam; it was rejected because it was considered too modern.
If ‘The Harbour Company’ by Prikker was to be exhibited, it would have to be restored.
The conservation work was carried out by the Stichting Restauratieatelier Limburg (SRAL) under the supervision of Jos van Och. It was also important, after the restoration and exhibition, that the storage facilities were improved, including storing it on a roll with a larger diameter. Under the supervision of the external restorer, the painting was mounted flat against the wall of the gallery on the doubled over edge that was applied to strengthen the edges. Although during the work conservation was the prime concern, the removal of the surface dirt and the minimal retouching of the damages meant that the strength and clarity of the illustration were much better expressed.