Bartholomäus Bruyn's Coronation of the Virgin altarpiece was placed on view for the first time at the Smith College Museum of Art following its acquisition in early 2006 and after undergoing treatment at the Straus Center for Conservation (Harvard University Art Museums) from March to September of that year. After a special initial installation—where the work is displayed with a wealth of information about the artist, the object, its history of ownership, and conservation—it will be integrated with works in the permanent collection galleries.

This installation reflects the work of a community of scholars and experts who have contributed their connoisseurship, knowledge, and technical skills to the acquisition process. Professor Emeritus Craig Harbison (University of Massachusetts), a distinguished scholar of Northern art, has written on the altarpiece in the context of the Northern Renaissance. Henriette Kets de Vries, of the museum staff, conducted extensive research on the altarpiece’s provenance, or history of ownership. Edward Maeder, director of exhibitions and curator of textiles, Historic Deerfield, contributed his expertise on Renaissance textiles. Paintings Conservator Teri Hensick provided the results of the technical examination of the altarpiece and its treatment by a team of conservators from the Straus Center for Conservation (HUAM). The Museum also gratefully acknowledges the expertise and support provided by members of the Smith College art history faculty, in particular Professor Craig Felton and Professor Brigitte Buettner, and by Visiting Professor Henk van Os.

Linda Muehlig
Curator of Painting and Sculpture
Associate Director for Curatorial Affairs