Conservator ceramics, glass and stone

Renske Dooijes, MA
Phone number: +31 (0)71 516 3152
E-mail: send a message
See her Academia-page

Study and career

Renske Dooijes (1973) studied Mediterranean Archaeology at the University of Amsterdam. In 2000 she graduated with a study of antique repairs on pottery, marble and bronze. She then followed the curatorial training at the Netherlands Institute for Cultural Heritage in Amsterdam, specialising in ceramics and glass. She completed this degree in 2005 with a thesis on the cleaning of plaster casts. As a conservator, Renske Dooijes was frequently involved in archaeological fieldwork in Greece, Turkey and Syria.

Research and restoration

In addition to her work as conservator, Renske Dooijes conducts research into the history of restoration. She is particularly interested in the techniques and (social) significance of antique restorations on archaeological objects. Another research project focuses on restorations from the 19th century (in particular), which often involve objects from the museum’s own collection. Her focus is on the international development of the profession and on ethical ideas about restoration through the ages.

Ask me a question about

  • Restoration of ceramics, glass and stone
  • Restoration of unfired and low-fired (prehistoric) ceramics
  • Restoration and conservation of plaster and plaster casts
  • History of restoration
  • Preventive conservation
  • Setting up exhibitions/mounting of objects

Important research and restoration projects

  • Restoration of the Sarcophagus of Simpelveld (2020-present)
  • Research history of the plaster cast collection (2018-present)
  • Restoration of plaster cast of the Pergamon altar (Athena Group) (2018-present)
  • Research into finishing layers on plaster casts (2011, 2019), with Cultural Heritage Agency Amsterdam
  • History of restoration and development of the profession (2007-now)
  • Antique repairs on pottery (2007-now), with Olivier Nieuwenhuyse
  • Cleaning of plaster casts (2005), graduation project, with ICN Amsterdam
Renske Dooijes

Renske Dooijes

Important publications

  • Haverkamp, N., and R. Dooijes, 2021. De restauratie van de Sarcofaag van Simpelveld, RoMeO Magazine 22, nr. 51, 18-21.
  • Nieuwenhuyse, O.P., and R. Dooijes, 2018. Early Pottery Repairs at Tell Sabi Abyad, in: O.P. Nieuwenhuijse (red.), Relentlessly Plain, Seventh Millennium Ceramics at Tell Sabi Abyad, Syria, Oxbow Books, 258-266.
  • Dooijes, R., 2018. Van provisorische naar professionele restauratie, in: P. ter Keurs and W. Wirtz (red.), Rijksmuseum van Oudheden, een geschiedenis van 200 jaar, Waanders Uitgevers, 226-234.
  • Dooijes, R., en H. Kik, 2018. Opkomst, ondergang en opbloei van gips, in: P. ter Keurs and W. Wirtz (red.), Rijksmuseum van Oudheden, een geschiedenis van 200 jaar, Waanders Uitgevers, 381-389.
  • Dooijes, R., and G. Nienhuis, 2018. Cosmetische restauratie, Sarcofaag van Simpelveld, Vakblad Natuursteen 7, 10-13.
  • Dooijes, R., and M. Düring, 2016. Preserving the story of restored objects: combining technical data with historical sources, in: H. Roemich (red.), Glass and Ceramics Conservation 2016, interim meeting of the ICOM-CC working Group, 25-29 May 2016, Wroclaw, Poland, POZKAL Spólka, 97-107.
  • Dooijes, R., and M. Düring, 2015. The Canino Collection: historical restorations on Greek vases in the National Museum of Antiquities in Leiden, in: R.B. Halbertsma (red.), The Canino Connections – Proceedings of the International Conference on the Vase Collection of Lucien Bonaparte, Prince of Canino (1775-1840) (PALMA 16), Sidestone Press, 103-116.
  • Dooijes, R. and L. Megens, 2010. Historical restorations in the National Museum of Antiquities, Leiden, The Netherlands, extended abstract of poster presentation, in: H. Roemich (red.), Glass and ceramics conservation 2010, Interim Meeting of the ICOM-CC Working Group, October 3-6, 2010, ICOM Committee for Conservation in association with the Corning Museum of Glass.
  • Burghout, F., R. Dooijes, I. Joosten, L. Megens, and A. de Tagle, 2010. Conservation of plaster casts, extended abstract of poster presentation, in: H. Roemich (red.), Glass and ceramics conservation 2010, Interim Meeting of the ICOM-CC Working Group, October 3-6, 2010, Corning, ICOM Committee for Conservation in association with the Corning Museum of Glass.
  • Dooijes, R., 2009. Terracotta at the National Museum of Antiquities. The conservation of a figurine of Aphrodite, Leiden Journal of Pottery Studies 25-2009, 189-194.
  • Dooijes, R., and O.P. Nieuwenhuyse, 2009. Ancient repairs in archaeological research; a Near Eastern perspective, in: J. Ambers, C. Higgitt, L. Harrison and D. Saunders (red.), Holding it all together, Ancient and Modern Approaches to Joining, Repair and Consolidation, Archetype Books, 8-13.
  • Nieuwenhuyse, O.P., and R. Dooijes, 2008. A new life for old pots. Early pottery repairs from 7th millennium Tell Sabi Abyad (northern Syria), Leiden Journal of Pottery Studies 24-2008, 159-170.
  • Dooijes, R., 2008. Melkpotten, 9000 jaren jong. Restauratie van het oudste aardewerk uit Syrië, Keramika 2008-4, 28-34.
  • Dooijes, R., F. Burghout, M. Düring, and O.P. Nieuwenhuyse, 2007. Restorations on the Late Uruk Pottery from Jebel Aruda – old and new, Leiden Journal of Pottery Studies 23-2007, 61-77.
  • Dooijes, R., 2007. Keeping alive the history of restoration: nineteenth century repairs on Greek ceramics from the National Museum of Antiquities in Leiden, in: Lisa Pilosi (red.), ICOM Glass and Ceramics Conservation 2007, Interim meeting of the ICOM-CC Working Group, August 27-30, 2007, Nova Gorica, Slovenia, Goriški muzej, 103-112.
  • Dooijes, R., and O.P. Nieuwenhuyse, 2007. Ancient Repairs: Techniques and Social Meaning, in: M. Benz and U. Kästner (red.), Konservieren oder restaurieren, die Restaurierung griechischer Vasen von der Antike bis heute (3rd suppl. to the CVA Germany), Beck Publishers, 15-20.
Renske Dooijes

Renske Dooijes

Important exhibitions with a major restoration or installation project

Important lectures

  • 2021, De sarcofaag van Simpelveld, in collaboration with N. Haverkamp and J. de Bruin. RoMeO-lecure.
  • 2019, The plaster cast collection of the National Museum of Antiquities, Leiden: conservation of an iconic collection of reproductions, Congres: Cast Courts Conference, Celebrating Reproductions: Past, Present and Future, V&A London, 17-19 January 2019.
  • 2011, The History of conservation of Ceramics, Staatliche Akademie für Bildende Kunsten, Stuttgart.
  • 2008, Ancient repairs in archaeological research, a Near Eastern perspective, Congres: Holding it all together, British Museum, Londen.
  • 2007, Keeping alive the history of restoration: nineteenth century repairs on Greek ceramics from the National Museum of Antiquities in Leiden. Congres: ICOM-CC triennial conference (Slovenië).
  • 2006, Ancient Repairs: Techniques and Social Meaning. Congres: Konservieren oder restaurieren? Restaurierung griechischer Keramik von der Antike bis Heute. CVA Germany, in collaboration with Antikensammlung Berlin (organisers: Martin Bentz and Ursula Kästner).

In the media

Ancillary activities