OVERVIEW

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.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

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.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

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

PREREQUISITES

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 METHODS

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.

Please refer to AulaWeb for any updates due to the epidemiological situation.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The course will discuss the following topics:

• History of conservation/restoration from the XVIth century to the present
• Cesari Brandi’s theory and the theoretic debate during the XXth century
• What “patina” is and the “Cleaning Controversy”
• Methods in losses treatment
• The diagnostic applied to  painting and sculptures conservation
• Multispectral Imaging techniques

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Biblioghraphy:

• C.Brandi, Teoria del restauro, Torino, Piccola Biblioteca Einaudi, 1977.
• M.Ciatti, Appunti per un manuale di storia e di teoria del restauro, Firenze, Edifir, 2009.
• G. Perusini, Il restauro dei dipinti e delle sculture lignee, Udine, Del Bianco editore, 1985 (pdf available in aulaweb).
• O. Rossi Pinelli , Chirurgia della memoria: scultura antica e restauri storici, in Memoria dell'antico nell'arte italiana, Dalla tradizione all'archeologia, vol.III, a cura di S. Settis, Torino, Einaudi, 1986, pp.183-250.

Recommendend reading:

• Scientific Examination for the Investigation of Paintings: A Handbook for Conservators-restorers, a cura di D. Pinna; M. Galeotti, R.Mazzeo, Firenze, Centro Di, 2009.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

ELIANA CARRARA (President)

MARIA CLELIA GALASSI (President)

PAOLO ANTONINO MARIA TRIOLO

LESSONS

LESSONS START

September 28, 1 pm, Aula M, Via Balbi 4

Class schedule

HISTORY AND RESTORATION TECHNIQUES

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

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)

Please refer to AulaWeb for any updates due to the epidemiological situation.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

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.

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

Regular attendance is strongly recommended.