Micropia microbiologists and Rijksmuseum conservators sampled Rembrandt’s The Night Watch at about 60 locations over six months to investigate the microorganisms on the painting. Initial findings showed a mixed group of microbes, including skin bacteria and a bacterial species first identified at a Japanese sugar refinery in 2013. The latter was found where a varnish layer had been removed.

Cultivated microbes from the painting are on display at Micropia until the end of May.