The course of “Conservation history and technique” provides the basic knowledge for understanding the historical evolution of the practices and the critical debate in the field of artifacts conservation. This discipline plays a central role to improve the comprehension of our cultural heritage, since it provides the skill to understand how the artistic objects have been preserved during the centuries and to be able to plan the correct treatments for their future conservation.
The course aims to provide first of all the features of the history of restoration from the sixteenth century to the present, with particular attention to the history of the pictorial restoration of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Secondly, the theory and methods of modern restoration are discussed, with insights regarding the treatment techniques of paintings and wood and stone sculptures. To allow students to get to the heart of the issues, visits to restoration workshops and meetings with restorers are planned.
Attendance in the planned lectures will allow students to acquire specific competences in the field of cultural heritage conservation/restoration.
Specifically, the student will be able to:
Know the history and theory of conservation form the XVIth century to the present
Know the activity of the most important restorers of the past, in Italy and in Europe
Identify and possibly date the traces of old restorations, reconnecting them to the relative operations carried out in the past
Know the conservation practices performed today
Know and apply technical examinations using imaging techniques
Apply the acquired knowledge to a specific case study
Evaluate the most suitable restoration procedures to be adopted for a correct conservation
In order to effectively face the teaching content, the following basic knowledge of the history of art techniques is required: 1) wall painting techniques; 2) panel painting techniques; 3) canvas painting techniques; wooden and marble sculpture techniques.
Teaching consists of lectures. Lectures are provided with powerpoint presentations. Since the slides will present new and never published images, the frequency is strongly recommended. At the end of each part of the program, a discussion will be encouraged, for a self-assessment of learning.
The course will discuss the following topics:
Biblioghraphy:
Recommendend reading:
Ricevimento: Office hours for student duirng the academic year 2018-2019: Tuesday, 15-17 at the DIRAAS, via Balbi 4, Genova
MARIA CLELIA GALASSI (President)
PAOLO ANTONINO MARIA TRIOLO
September 28, 1 pm, Aula M, Via Balbi 4
HISTORY AND RESTORATION TECHNIQUES
The exam consists of an oral test. The questions will be related to the topics discussed during the lectures and the students will be also requested to give a comment on images related to the history of restoration, modern procedures on conservation and art diagnostic.
Three exam dates will be available in the winter season (January, February) and three dates in the summer season (June, July, September)
Details on how to prepare for the exam and the degree of detail required for each topic will be provided during the lectures. The exam will verify the actual acquisition of knowledge in the field of the history of conservation and the competences related to the old and modern restoration practices. Particular attention will be paid to the knowledge of diagnostic techniques. The open questions will allow to evaluate the ability to apply theoretical knowledge to individual practical cases. The sudent must be able to connect and expose the topics covered during the lectures with critical awareness. The ability to expose the arguments clearly and with correct terminology will also be evaluated.
Regular attendance is strongly recommended.