OVERVIEW

The History of pictorial techniques provides the basic knowledge to understand what materials have been used by painters over the centuries. This knowledge is essential to get to date and authenticate the paintings, understand the causes of the alterations present in them and set up a proper conservation campaign against them. They are integrated with the data obtained from the written documents to form a complete historical framework of the paintings.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims at providing information on the pictorial materials used from the Middle Ages to the twentieth century, on their behavior and their history, as well as on the executive procedures used on both mobile and masonry supports. The intent is to make students aware of the need for knowledge of materials and technical procedures to achieve more in-depth historical knowledge and correctly set up the conservation of paintings.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Attendance at lectures will allow the student to acquire general knowledge of History of the pictorial techniques necessary to face studies in the field of history and conservation of cultural heritage.

Specifically, the student will be able to:

- know and describe the main inorganic and organic substances used as pictorial materials;

- to know the chemical-physical properties of pictorial materials and to know how to connect them to their behavior in the face of degradation factors and the main artistic techniques of use;

- apply the acquired knowledge to case studies and scientific analysis of paintings and polychrome works in general.

PREREQUISITES

The following basic knowledge of chemistry is required to effectively address the teaching content: 1) chemical bonds, 2) chemical reactions, as well as a basic knowledge of the history of Italian painting from the Middle Ages to the Twentieth century.

TEACHING METHODS

The teaching consists of lectures, also carried out through multimedia presentations and direct observation of samples of materials. Since many of the information provided are not in textbooks, attendance is strongly recommended.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The course program includes the presentation and discussion of the following topics:

- Classification of coloring matters: pigments, dyes, lacquers;

- Optical properties of coloring matters;

- Behavior of coloring materials against physical and chemical degradation factors. Toxicity;

- Use in the main painting techniques;

- History of use;

- Cards of the main coloring materials divided by shade.

- Classification and properties of the main materials used as pictorial binders

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

The texts indicated below are to be considered consultation texts, the main importance is the notes of what was presented and discussed in class:

N.Bevilacqua, L.Borgioli, I.Adrover Gracia (2010), The pigments in art, from prehistory to the industrial revolution, Il Prato Editore (Saonara, PD);
M.Matteini, A.Moles, R.Mazzeo (2015), Chemistry for Restoration. Painting and Restoration Materials, Nardini (Florence).
 

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

PAOLO BENSI (President)

LAURA GAGGERO

LESSONS

LESSONS START

For lessons start and timetable go to the following link: http://www.distav.unige.it/ccsbenicultura/orario-lezioni

Class schedule

HISTORY OF PAINTING TECHNIQUES

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam consists of an oral test, consisting in answering questions asked by the teacher on topics covered during the course.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The oral examination will focus mainly on the topics covered during the lectures and will have the purpose to evaluate not only if the student has reached an adequate level of knowledge, but also if he has acquired the ability to recall the concepts learned by applying them to simple concrete contexts, specifically, the hypotheses for the identification of pictorial materials in paintings, presented in images.

Exam schedule