Inside the Collection: Smallest Painting in Buckingham Palace | Gerrit Dou’s Masterpiece Restored

Join our Conservator as we take a close look at one of the most remarkable works in the Royal Collection: Gerrit Dou’s A Maidservant Scouring a Brass Pan at a Window. Although the painting is only about the size of a notebook, making it the smallest painting on display in Buckingham Palace, it contains an extraordinary level of detail that immediately draws the viewer in. Every object, texture and reflection has been painted with astonishing precision, demonstrating Dou’s mastery of miniature painting. Born in Leiden in 1613, Gerrit Dou was one of Rembrandt’s earliest pupils and went on to become one of the most successful painters of the Dutch Golden Age. Famous for his highly finished genre scenes, Dou elevated ordinary moments of daily life into sophisticated works of art that were sought after by collectors across Europe. The film explores the composition of the painting, focusing on the maid at work polishing a brass pan. Through expert analysis, viewers are guided through the carefully observed details that surround her, from household utensils and metal vessels to the birdcage and architectural setting. These seemingly simple objects reveal Dou’s exceptional ability to capture light, texture and atmosphere. Acquired by George IV in 1814 as part of the celebrated Baring Collection, the work has been displayed in royal residences for more than two centuries. Its long association with the Royal Collection highlights the enduring appeal of Dou’s meticulous craftsmanship. During recent conservation treatment, carried out before the painting returned to display in Buckingham Palace’s Picture Gallery, our Conservator explains how layers of aged and discoloured varnish had dulled the surface, obscuring the sharp details and dramatic contrasts that are essential to Dou’s style. Using magnification and carefully selected solvents, our Conservator removed these later additions and restored the painting’s original clarity. The treatment revealed the extraordinary quality of Dou’s brushwork, bringing renewed life to details that had been hidden from view for generations. Among the discoveries were subtle features that had been concealed during previous restorations. Tiny painted elements, including a delicate white thread hanging from the maid’s apron, emerged once again, offering fresh insight into the artist’s remarkable technical skill and attention to detail. The film also uncovers a fascinating story hidden on the reverse of the panel. Labels, inscriptions and a rare handwritten note provide valuable evidence about the painting’s history, including a record of an unusual eighteenth-century conservation procedure carried out by the French restorer Hacquin in 1773. By removing centuries of discolouration and studying the painting in exceptional detail, our Conservator has helped reveal the brilliance of Gerrit Dou’s work and ensured that visitors can appreciate one of the finest and smallest treasures in the Royal Collection.