Intervention files and the institutional archive
The intervention files are the record of the research activities of the Institute. The collection of intervention files has been steadily built up since the 1930s. Our institutional archive even dates as far back as 1910. You can consult both of them in our reading room. Please book your visit via balat@kikirpa.be.
What can you find in our intervention files?
- About 20,000 files, the scientific archive of the Institute.
- A unique collection on the study, conservation and restoration of Belgian art heritage.
- All documentation prepared by restorers, art historians and chemists during the study, treatment or laboratory analysis of an artwork.
- Technical photographs (UV, IR, during treatment...).
- Scientific imaging (X-ray and infrared reflectography).
- Continuous expansion of the collection.
The files are on the priority list of documents digitised by our teams in collaboration with the DIGIT unit.
The institutional archives
Our institutional and administrative archives constitute a second access point to the rich past of the Institute. They are inventoried from 1910 to 1965.
You can consult the following two inventories before your visit:
- Inventaire des archives des Services photographiques et de Documentation belge et du Laboratoire de Recherches physico-chimiques des Musées royaux d’Art et d’Histoire, et des ACL (1910-1948) (available in French)
- Inventaris van het Centraal Iconografisch Archief voor Nationale Kunst en Centraal Laboratorium der Belgische Musea (CAL) en Kunstpatrimonium (KIK) (1949-1965) (available in Dutch)
At your disposal in the reading room:
- Photocopiers and scanners.
- You can photograph documents yourself, without flash.
- Digital copies are available for a fee depending on the size of the file.
Do you have any questions or want more information? Please contact us!
Our experts
Would you like to consult intervention files or the institutional archives?
Consultation is by appointment only.
Please make an appointment by e-mail at balat@kikirpa.be and complete the request form in advance.
Practical information
The team of the Information Centre welcomes you to the reading room, by appointment only.
Contact and research assistance
Phone: +32 (0)2 739 68 03
E-mail: balat@kikirpa.be
Follow us on Twitter!