I still remember standing in front of Rembrandt’s Night Watch on my first trip to Amsterdam. I was staring at the huge canvas, feeling overwhelmed by its shadows, wondering how on earth artists could create such delicate detail hundreds of years ago. The museum was buzzing with tourists, but I felt like I was alone in a moment of time travel.
Fast forward a few years later, I came across the name Jeroen Dik — not an artist, not a gallery owner, but a scientist. A professor who actually uncovers secrets hidden underneath layers of paint in famous masterpieces. And suddenly, all those paintings I used to admire only for their front-facing beauty felt sooo much deeper.
In this blog post, I want to take you along on my discovery of who Jeroen Dik is, why his work is groundbreaking, and how he has changed the way I look at art forever.
Who Is Jeroen Dik?
Jeroen Dik is a Dutch art historian, materials scientist, and professor at Delft University of Technology (TU Delft). He isn’t your typical “sit-in-an-archive” art historian. Instead, he blends science and art conservation to uncover hidden stories buried under paint — literally.
He has become well-known for his pioneering work with X-ray fluorescence scanning (XRF scanning), which allows him to look beneath a painting’s surface without damaging it. It’s like giving old masterpieces a high-tech medical check-up.
Some of the masterpieces Jeroen Dik has studied include:
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Rembrandt’s self-portraits
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Vincent van Gogh paintings
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Works from the Dutch Golden Age
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Paintings undergoing restoration at major museums
Every scan reveals something. Sometimes it’s a sketch. Sometimes an entirely different painting hidden underneath.
That’s when it hit me… masterpieces evolve just like people do.
How Jeroen Dik Became the “Art Detective”
I love this part of his story. He didn’t start as someone destined to solve centuries-old mysteries. Instead, he studied materials science — something you’d expect from a person who works in a lab, not a museum.
But while most people stay in their lane, Jeroen blended two passions:
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A love for engineering and technology
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A curiosity for art history
That combo led him to developing new research tools now used in major art conservation projects. One article even called him a “scientific detective of art”, and honestly, that’s the perfect title.
Why We Should Care About His Work
I know what you might be thinking:
“Okay, cool… but does it really matter what’s hiding under the paint?”
Short answer: Yes. Big yes.
Long answer? Here’s what we learn from Jeroen Dik’s discoveries:
1. Artists changed their minds — a lot
Van Gogh sometimes painted over earlier works when he couldn’t afford a new canvas. Rembrandt changed character positions and lighting dramatically while working. Seeing these changes helps us understand their creative process.
2. Forgery becomes harder
High-tech imaging identifies pigments and materials that didn’t exist during certain periods. That means museums can more confidently prove if a painting is real or fake.
3. We can restore art more accurately
Knowing what’s where prevents accidental damage during restoration. It also helps experts bring paintings closer to how the artists intended them to look.
Honestly, I love the idea that we’re still learning new things from centuries-old art. It gives history a heartbeat.
How XRF Scanning Works (But Not in a Boring Way)
If you’re like me, science explanations can feel like homework. So here’s the simple version:
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The scanner shoots harmless X-rays at the painting.
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The paint ingredients respond by giving off a unique “signal.”
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Those signals create a map showing where each pigment sits on the canvas.
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BAM — a hidden layer appears like magic.
It’s almost like peeling back time… without touching the painting at all.
The First Time I Heard About Jeroen Dik
It happened while I was watching a documentary about Van Gogh. They showed a painting with a newly discovered portrait of a woman underneath — something nobody had seen for over 100 years.
My reaction: jaw dropped.
My next reaction: Who did this?!
Enter: Jeroen Dik.
It made me realize that behind every museum wall is a huge team of people who are just as artistic as the painters themselves — but in a scientific way.
Jeroen Dik’s Biggest Art Discoveries (So Far)
Here are a few highlights that truly blew my mind:
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A hidden face under Van Gogh’s “Patch of Grass”
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Changes made by Rembrandt while composing his works
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Layered details proving historic restoration errors
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New insights into Dutch Golden Age pigments and techniques
Each discovery fills another gap in art history.
And honestly? It makes museum visits feel like I’m looking at a puzzle that’s still being solved.
What I’ve Learned From Following His Work
I know this sounds cheesy, but here’s the truth:
Art isn’t just something to admire — it’s something to investigate.
Here are two personal tips I now follow every time I visit a museum:
Tip #1: Look for texture and clues
Sometimes you can see the slightest outline of a hidden image. I once spent 15 minutes staring at a corner of a painting — and it was worth it!
Tip #2: Read the restoration notes
Museums often share a behind-the-scenes story. Those labels? Yeah, I used to ignore them too. Now they’re my favorite part.
Exploring Jeroen Dik’s work taught me that curiosity makes art ten times more fun.
How Jeroen Dik Inspires Future Researchers
His work has sparked new interest in art conservation technology. Students now go to TU Delft because they want to scan paintings, uncover mysteries, and blend creativity with technology.
It’s refreshing to see a career that proves:
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You don’t have to choose between science and the arts
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New technology can protect cultural heritage
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Innovation doesn’t always look digital — sometimes it uncovers the past
If I were smart enough in chemistry, I’d apply to his program in a heartbeat!
Final Thoughts: Why Jeroen Dik Matters
The more I learn about art detectives like him, the more I appreciate how much is left undiscovered. Paintings aren’t finished pieces — they’re stories in layers.
Jeroen Dik reminds us that:
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History is alive.
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Art has secrets.
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Curiosity leads to discovery.
