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Kerat in word & image

Every 'first' Sunday of the month there is an open day on appointment for new clients and customers.

If you have a painting, sculpture or frame that needs to be repaired, it is best to send an email to info@kerat.be in advance with a description of the work of art to be treated. The repair cost, price indication follows after the first investigation based on. photos. A good restoration always adds value to your work of art. Welcome by appointment in our art  studio ! You are kindly invited when you have a restoration work for me or want to commission of a painting ! Download here film about Kerat Art & Antiques Expert  See here a sample movie bekijk hier deel1 uit tv-serie topservice  deel 2deel 3 , deel 4DOWNLOAD LEAFLET,  Download here Frederik Cnoc-art.pdf

Frederik Cnockaert is chosen to be present in the art and crafts book of high quality master artisans.

"Manufactum" places our restoration Artist studio Kerat in the spotlight. The authors discribe the work of top restorer Frederik Cnockaert as Belgian high - end Craftmanship. Mastership. The book places artisans crafts people in the spotlight the " Masters in handcraft ". Preservation and conservation of old and new paintings, canvas, paper or panel. Polychrome wood statues, stone sculpture carriers. Surprising stories of craftsmen behind the companie, having a passion for their trade. About what drove them to practice a certain craft, and  the skills needed, about the trade itself. But also about their materials or tools. download pdf here. Book is still available for 25 €, more info info@kerat.be

Restoration of a sixteenth-century masterpiece for the Virgin House Museum of Antwerp.

A Flemish Renaissance painting by Jacob de Backer; 'Christ Blessing the Children'. This masterpiece painting portrays a Biblical scene in which Jesus has the children come to him. “Let the children come to me, and do not hin-der them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these” (The gospel according to St Mark, 10, 13-16). This theme is eminently suited to institutions such as the girls’ and boys’ orphanages. Jacob de Backer painted this renaissance art work. He was one of the greatest and most successful colourists of his era. He apprenticed with Antonio Van Palermo, which is why he is sometimes known as Jacob van Palermo. Several courts owned some of his works. Jacob de Backer is considered one of the most mysterious yet fascinating Flemish artists of the sixteenth-century Antwerp school. After removing discolored layers of overpaint, we saw magnificient colours. d It was an honour for me to take care of this magnificent artwork.  download here pdf.

We are very happy, honoured and grateful to have been able to make yet another restoration of a masterpiece.

It is a real pleasure and privilege to announce our latest museum restoration! The city Museums of Kortrijk gave us an exceptional painting of its collection to restore the painting ; “ The battle of the Golden Spurs  by Nicaise de Keyser ( 1813– 1887, Antwerp). Cleaning the dirty varnish. Seeing the painting is said to have inspired the Belgian writer Hendrik Conscience to write his book "De Leeuw van Vlaanderen" (The Lion of Flanders) about the Flemish battle for independence from the French. The success of de Keyser's work was followed by a series of decorative historical paintings that celebrated the Flemish school of art. The paintings were intended for the former Antwerp museum. When the new Royal Museum of Fine Arts in Antwerp was completed in the late nineteenth century, the paintings were transferred to the staircase of the museum. De Keyser belonged to the first wave of Belgian Romantic painters who had typically studied or spent time in Paris where they had come into contact with the new Romantic movement. Others in this group included Gustave Wappers, Louis Gallait, Ernest Slingeneyer, Edouard de Bièfve and other minor figures. They chose as the subject matter of their work important historical events in Belgium's history which were regarded as key to the country's national identity. Unlike their French models such as Delacroix, their work, though colourful, lacked true Romantic zest and became popular with the artistic establishment which rewarded the artists with numerous commissions. Despite the Romantic subject matter and the Baroque compositional techniques of his historical and genre paintings, the finishing of de Keyser's paintings is in academic style, with the use of sharp lines and clearly drawn details. The discolored varnish and some minor retouches gave the canvas a yellowish patina that detracted from the otherwise superbe state of conservation of the pictorial surface. This painting is exceptional in size, quality and subject matterand clearly belongs amongst the most distinguished paintings by this artist. You can see the restored painting now in the expo 1302 in the Church of our Lady in Kortrijk. Download here photo of the painting after cleaning.pdf and Photo with the art restorer painting.pdf and photo

Repair of religious statuary sculpture of St. Barbara plaster statue for the church of Blaton.

Professional conservation and restoration of fine art plaster statue of Saint Barbara in front of the Bernissart church. The miners and firefighters came especially for the occasion to celebrate the return of their patron saint. Barbara's plaster statue is colorfully polychrome. Her hand was completely broken off and in several pieces. Hand glued back and completed with plaster. The broken pieces were added and polychromed. Polychrome was cleaned in retouched and coated. Sometimes my favorite projects are the sentimental inheritances that can be made right again for their owners.

Restoration of sculpture 'Mary Lamentation of Jesus'.

Restoration of group of statues for the chapel of Our Lady of Seven Weeën. This sculpture comes from the chapel of Our Lady of Seven Woe in the Wegom. This sculpture group represents the depiction of the entombment and is part of the seventh station during the annual ommegang at Wennik near Ninove. Mary Lamentation of Jesus, our Mother of Sorrows. This old sculpture is is a subject in Christian art depicting the Virgin Mary cradling the dead body of Jesus, most often found in sculpture. As such, it is a particular form of the Lamentation of Christ, a scene from the Passion of Christ found in cycles of the Life of Christ. When Christ and the Virgin are surrounded by other figures from the New Testament, the subject is called a Lamentation.

Conservation and restoration of large carved and painted wooden Crucifix by unknow author; seventeenth century.

We are proud of the restoration of a beautiful corpus for the Saint Michael Church of Avekapelle Veurne. The prolonged humidity caused mold and wood rot. A restoration treatment was necessary in order not to endanger the survival of this sculpture. This work of art was carved with heart and soul in the 18th century. For the polychromy we based ourselves on the results of the paint research. In order to preserve the authenticity of the artwork, the color determination was also based on documentation and photographs of the condition of the statue from 1944. These were compared with the remaining traces of paint from the possibly original layer. This beautiful statue now shines back for the next generations and after 3 centuries is a comfort for the visitors of the church. This corpus with its modest appearance radiates hope to the viewer.download here.pdf

Renovation of the art works in the church Assumption of the Holy Mary Zutendaal.

We restored  the sculptures, paintings on canvas, murals and decorative walpaintings in the church of Zutendaal. We provided a full service of treatments for paintings, including cleaning (surface cleaning, varnish and overpaint removal), consolidation of flaking paint, tear mending, lining, retouching and varnishing. Works on wooden supports (panels)and murals is also undertaken. Scientific analysis was carried out when required or commissioned as is preparation for loans and courier work. All paintings are returned with written and photographic records of their treatments. The conservation and restoration of frames, adapting frames for glazing and backboarding and reproduction framing are also undertaken. download here.pdf

Restoration of a sculpture of the Virgin Mary for the church of Dompierre sur Helpe France

The polychrome sculpture of the Virgin and Child has been lovingly restored by us. The purpose of the latter was to give an acceptable aesthetic appearance to the statue without giving it the appearance of new. Especially the cleaning of the carnations showed polychromy. This religious sculpture in polychrome plaster presents the Madonna. It is a recurring theme in religious sculpture, referring to the Nativity of Christ and the maternity of the Virgin Mary. You can contact us if you have a sculpture which you wish to entrust to us the restoration as we did for this church.

Picture frame restoration and conservation services

With over 30 years' experience we provide a bespoke, conservation picture framing and restoration service based on the highest standards of craftsmanship and materials, expert knowledge and personal customer service. Conservation of polychrome frames and wooden sculptures. Our restoration services give new life to your antique picture frame. Old picture frames frequently need cleaning, repair of broken pieces, conservation and restoration of original gilded surfaces; re-gilding and antiquing; joining and re-inforcing damaged corners. We offer a restoration service for period and contemporary frames. Fragile ornate and gilded frames can be fully consolidated, repaired and re-gilded. Modern gilding/paint finishes also repaired.Download here.pdf

 

Frederik Cnockaert chief restorer of art Studio Kerat restored with his studio all the paintings for the church of Parike Brakel

We are proud to say that all the art works in the Lambertus Church are restored by the art conservators studio Kerat from Wervik in Flanders. The painting of Assumption of Mary by Gaspar de Craeyer was the most important painting in this church. download here attest.pdf

Fake or Fortune antique roadshow ' ritcher than you think ' took a visit to art studio of kerat for expertise of a painting.

Frederik Cnockaert as top art expert was asked for his expertise by dutch television VTM to examine live on tv , a painting for  download film here , Fake and Fortune antique roadshow. You can say that this show is the equivalent of Salvage Hunters the restorer on the BBC. See here audio part 1 , mp4 audio part 2  If you have a favorite statue that needs some repair? Is your statue broken, faded, or in need of a new paint job? You're in the right place in my art studio Kerat ! Professional conservation and restoration of fine art, antique and contemporary art objects, including sculpture, decorative arts, picture frames, ceramics, plaster, marble, ivory, metal, and wood. Serving individuals and institutions in Belgium and beyond for over 30 years.download portrait.pdf

WORK ON COMMISSION. The legend that conquers from wheelie to horsie, a painted creation.

Frederik Cnockaert made this unique painting in comission for KBK. Instead his usual trick of doing a wheelie on his bike, Sagan is depicted riding a horse that is rearing up while pointing his finger towards the sky in a manner simular to Bonaparte in J.L. David's "Napoleon Crossing the Alps". However instead of showing the Alpine scenery and the french army marching up the Col du Grand St-Bernard. Sagan is shown riding his horse in the cobbles of a Flemish village with fans cheering him on. See powerpoint here. Frederik paints this world, not without irony and with baroque means. When a painting is done on commission, both the subject and the format can be selected and executed with great care. The works are built up meticulously layer upon layer. The consultation between the artist and patron will result in a unique and personalized work of art. If you want a 'master-piece', contact me by email for all questions  info@kerat.be,  download here..

The KERAT art studio was interviewed by the flemish national tv for ter zake news.

The American Getty Institute is paying for a Dutch research of the famous "Lam Gods" by the Van Eyck brothers. As a result, F. Cnockaert was interviewed in ‘Terzake’ in VRT-Canvas . They talked about the neglect of the Flemish art heritage, the lack of resources for researching artworks and the undervalued role of the conservators and restaurators in our country. Here you van see Ter zake Art we care. download.pdf

Art Studio Kerat restored meulebeeks mourning board.

The mourning board of the noble family 'de Lens' is back in the Sint Amandus church in Meulebeke. The mourning board, also known as an Obiit, refers to Count Robert de Lens (1738-1818). Since 1792, this count stayed in the former castle of Meulebeke during every summer. "beauty is in the eye of the beholder".

We made a copy painting for the Ravenhof Castle Museum of Torhout.

Frederik provided a new painting after a stolen painting in the Ravenhof Castle. The replica work was commissioned by the city of Torhout. Diana is presented in this painting as huntress and as the earth goddess. She is surrounded by hunting attributes. This Museum is whoused in the walled castle Ravenhof, inside of a spellbinding English country garden. It's ideal location makes it a symbol of Torhout’s history. Still decked with authentic furniture and wall hangings, the castle houses the town Guild Hall where the centuries-long kept prize earthenware of the Saint Sebastian Crossbow Guild (founded in 1384) is displayed. See here a trailer from focus tv during the working.  Frederik has a technique for ensuring a copy will never be passed off as a genuine painting. If you have inherited a painting which another family member would like then Frederik may be able to replicate the original.  He has successfully produced convincing ‘doubles’ for clients in the past. See here trailer on Tv1. castle ravenhof renovation ans download here pdf.

Commission a painting ! You could treat yourself, or delight your friends and relatives in a most original way.

Commission a portrait. You could treat yourself, or delight your friends and relatives in a most original way. Using photographs, Frederik Cnockaert draws or paints either single portraits, or group portraits, made from single or multiple photographs, in a format agreed with the client.download exemple painting.pdf

Polychromed sculpture for the Mary chapel of OLV Kerselaer.

Frederik Cnockaert was asked to polychrome a replica of an early 15 th century Flemisch Malines Mary statue. This sculpture is an important witness for the centuries-old devotion of Mother Mary in this place of pilgrimage. The sculpture is a copy of the original gothic statue, which is in devotion in the chapel of Kerselare for many centuries. We see Mary holding the lying child christ, wrapped in a cloth. This statue is revered as a miraculous relic, because the chapel burned down completely in 1455 and only this statue survived this disaster. This replica is now manufactured for the pilgrims so that the original can be kept in a safe. Our Dear Lady of the Cherry Tree is a statue within a statue of the mid-1400s in the parish of Edelare and affixed it to a cherry tree by the road, where it became a focus of devotion. In 1454 people began building a chapel there, and on July 2 of the next year, a Friar Minor from Oudenaarde said the first mass in the new shrine. Healings and miracles multiplied at the site, attracting many pilgrims to our Dear Lady of the Cherry Tree. Over the centuries the stream of pilgrims included emperors, cardinals, and other notables. Kerzelare is host to a pilgrimage chapel, which origins goes back to the 15th century. A Mary statue had been placed underneath a cherry tree (Kerselaar in Dutch), and several miracles had occurred. This chapel was destroyed by a fire in 1961. A new, post-modernic chapel building arose in 1966. Modernist architect Juliaan Lampens designed the concrete church that replaced it in 1966. Pilgrims still gather there, particularly on the patronal feast of Our Lady of the Cherry Tree, the Sunday after May 3; and on Ascension Day, when hundreds of motorists converge on the shrine for the Blessing of the Cars. download here.pdf

Restauration of a portrait painting by Flori van Acker. Officer of artillerie in landscape 1914-18.

It was an honour to restore an important portrait painting for the Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917. Ziehier foto artillerie officier. 

This Museum presents the historic story of the First World War in a poignant and vivid way, with a particular emphasis on the Battle of Passchendaele. This battle in 1917 is known as one of the most horrific battles from the First World War, with more than half-a-million casualties for a territorial gain of merely eight kilometres. ‘Passchendaele’ not only became a concept in the history of the First World War, it also became a symbol of the great futility of the violence of war in all its horror. The Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917 combines the interactive design of a modern museum with the exceptional aspect of experiencing the Dugouts & Trenches. The museum section provides an overview of the five battles of Ypres, including the Battle of Passchendaele.

Restoration of a top painting by the dutch master Eglon Van der Neer 17th century private collection

Oil on canvas. Signed and dated: bottom left, Eglon van der Neer 1658 . The starting point was an examination of the painting’s condition, which led to the discovery it was covered in several layers of yellowed varnish and non-original overpaint. The layers of varnish and overpaint have been removed, revealing…An original cloudscape and details of faces and clothing. The relining and stretcher are not older than c. 100 years. The composition was prepared on a ground layer of reddish-brown in a sketch with thin lines of the brush in a dark brown liquid medium, after which the figures were blocked out with green paint over which the artist employed deft brushwork to work them up in other colours. The scene was painted from back to front and numerous changes were introduced during the work. Jewellery on the figure of Helena is indicated with white, translucent as well as opaque, strokes of the brush. Technical research revealed a broad array of pigments. Particularly noteworthy is the use of ultramarine and carmine lake made from cochenille, and of different pigments for one colour, such as two types of lead white with different optical properties to obtain subtle colour nuances and one more suitable for making smooth transitions which was used mainly for the flesh tones of the figures. For black the artist used both bone black and charcoal, for blue indigo in addition to the just-mentioned ultramarine and for red vermillion in addition to cochenille.

Polychromy of a lost sleeping soldier from the altarpiece in Zomergem.

Years ago, a sleeping soldier from the altarpiece of the Sint Martinus church in Zomergem was stolen. The emptiness this left in the church was great. As a result, it was decided by the church council to have this stolen statue reconstructed. The woodcarver Donaat sculpted the soldier according to the existing photographs of the original. First a model was made in clay. After approval, this statue was then cut in oak. The artwork was then polychromed by Frederik Cnockaert. We colored the new image according to the colors of the rest of the retable. download here.pdf

Restoring the glory of statue Jezus Christ Sacred Heart

The peculiarity of this statue is in its design: wood, plaster. In any job, you have to think about progression. This statue has a fine polychromy and delicate carvings tend to chip when placed on the plaster. This was the case, for example, with this Sacred Heart kept in a small country church. This sculpture is still placed in the place for which it was purchased: an 18th century side altar that was transformed in the 19th century to be dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. During the restoration, I could not identify the manufacturer and date this copy. The sculpture indeed bears an illegible signature on its base: "R ... FL et Cie PARIS". The actual restoration consisted of reattaching the polychromy, making a new hand, cleaning, treatment of the metal frames, and colored retouching at the level of the many gaps that disrupted the legibility of the face of Christ in particular. See here photo before and after.

We specialise in all aspects of oil painting restoration, antique frame restoration and conservation framing. Contact us for professional advise.

We have over 30 years of experience in the field of restoration and conservation. Our practice has served museums, historical and cultural institutions, private collectors, galleries, architects, and designers in Europe. Uniquely, we work in close collaboration with archival framers, curators, research historians, auction houses, appraisers and other specialized conservators to meet the specific needs of each client. Since opening its' doors in 1993, we expanded to include a team of skilled professionals who master restoration & conservation protocols, methods and techniques. Our philosophy is "LESS IS MORE" - to repair the artwork as little as possible with respect to the artists' original intention. We use only the finest materials. All of the work we do is fully reversible and in accordance with the Institute for Conservation (IIC) Code of Ethics.

ARTS & CRAFTS heritage open door day in art studio kerat

Kerat art crafts studio kerat is free for visit normally with appointment every first sunday of the month. I expose some artwork in restoration, work that is intended for future generations. But on the crafts day  you can visit my studio without apointment from 10.00h  to 12.00 pm and 15.00 tot 17.30h . Kerat participates in the Arts & Crafts Heritage day. Visit our studio and discover the world of art and restoration. A feeling for art is as much a feeling for history as it is a feeling for beauty.  We show paintings and statues that are in restoration proces. See here a sample movie bekijk hier deel1 uit tv-serie topservice  deel 2deel 3 , deel 4. HOW DO YOU DO.... see portrait.pdf

Official certification ‘acknowledged craft' for KERAT Fine Art Restoration studio

We received the official certification ‘Acknowledged Craft’ by the Belgian government. A nice recognition that makes us very proud ! We work from consultation, thats the first step in the process is to view the artworks preferably in the studio with the clients present. If that's not possible photos can be emailed or uploaded. If circumstances demand, an on-site consultation can be scheduled. There is never a fee for an in-studio consultation, examination, or proposal.  Then there is the EXAMINATION; Once received a full examination of the artworks will be performed. This will include assessing the condition of the artworks and testing of the materials that will guide the conservation process. Establishing a comprehensive understanding of each artwork is necessary as no two are the same and all techniques and materials are tailored to the artwork. Next there is the PROPOSAL; Once the examination is complete a conservation proposal will be assembled and sent to the client. The proposal will outline all the work that needs to be completed to address any issues that may be found during the examination. The proposal will contain a time line and price. At no point will the price ever change; what is quoted is firm and will never increase midway through the process regardless of any complications. WORK; Pending review and approval of the proposal work will begin. Some artworks may be completed in as little as one week while others may require several weeks due to the complex nature of the conservation issues at play. Specific time lines and completion dates can be accommodated if so required.

Dear art enthusiasts, museum collectors and connoisseurs, New COVID Regulations

I would like to thank all who visited our art studio, during the last open door. It's been a real pleasure having you, and you've been wonderfully enthusiastic about the art, being out on the town, meeting friends and even discovering new places. It is in times like these we realise we need art more than ever, and that art brings people together! Should you be tired of the empty walls you've been staring at since the beginning of lockdown last year, please be advised, we are here to help! Please don't hesitate to reach out to us, we're still working hard to find that magical next addition by restoring your art collection. Following the new covid regulations in charge in Belgium, we're happy to announce that in essence nothing changes for us. Business as usual, that is, by appointment only. Should you wish, you can call in on +32 495 513387 or email us at cnockaert.frederik@gmail.com to make an appointment. We're happy to welcome you on the hoogweg 42 wervik, as you've by now been accustomed to. Your visit will be as much more agreeable, safely and in line with the current measures. Thank you again, and with kind regards, download portrait Frederik.pdf