Restoration of Cultural Heritage
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The course is aimed at training Conservation Scientists through the acquisition of advanced theoretical, methodological, and technical skills in the field of Conservation and Restoration, with a specific focus on movable works of art. The teaching aims to develop the student's ability to critically and independently address conservation issues, fostering dialogue and collaboration with the various professionals involved in restoration projects.
The curriculum includes the study of constituent materials and painting techniques, with particular attention to mural paintings, panel paintings, and canvas paintings, from Antiquity to the modern era. The training activities involve exercises in recognizing artistic techniques, original materials, and alteration products, integrating this knowledge with an analysis of the potential offered by diagnostic methodologies.
This combination will form the core of the critical reflection on each restoration project, providing students with a solid methodological foundation to define objectives and operational methods within potential conservation intervention protocols
The curriculum includes the study of constituent materials and painting techniques, with particular attention to mural paintings, panel paintings, and canvas paintings, from Antiquity to the modern era. The training activities involve exercises in recognizing artistic techniques, original materials, and alteration products, integrating this knowledge with an analysis of the potential offered by diagnostic methodologies.
This combination will form the core of the critical reflection on each restoration project, providing students with a solid methodological foundation to define objectives and operational methods within potential conservation intervention protocols
Expected learning outcomes
The student will need to develop the ability to read and analyze the material traces that reveal the artistic techniques used in artworks, as well as any previous restoration interventions. They will be able to identify the phenomena of alteration or deterioration in both the original and restoration materials, allowing for an accurate assessment of the conservation state of historical and artistic artifacts.
Furthermore, it will be essential for the student to be familiar with all phases of a conservation project, from diagnostic investigations, both invasive and non-invasive, to modern restoration procedures. They should be able to select the most appropriate diagnostic techniques for a thorough material and structural analysis of the artwork.
The methodological approach will be enriched by an independent critical capacity in analyzing every phase of the conservation intervention, thanks to a well-balanced interdisciplinary perspective. The student will be expected to master the technical language specific to conservation and restoration, actively participating in discussions on real case studies during educational visits and seminars with field experts.
A solid understanding of the history of restoration, as well as the key issues in the critical and methodological debates surrounding the discipline, will be an integral part of the training. Finally, the student will need to demonstrate extensive knowledge of the relevant bibliography, continually updating and expanding their expertise through the independent study of texts, scientific articles, seminars, and conferences.
Furthermore, it will be essential for the student to be familiar with all phases of a conservation project, from diagnostic investigations, both invasive and non-invasive, to modern restoration procedures. They should be able to select the most appropriate diagnostic techniques for a thorough material and structural analysis of the artwork.
The methodological approach will be enriched by an independent critical capacity in analyzing every phase of the conservation intervention, thanks to a well-balanced interdisciplinary perspective. The student will be expected to master the technical language specific to conservation and restoration, actively participating in discussions on real case studies during educational visits and seminars with field experts.
A solid understanding of the history of restoration, as well as the key issues in the critical and methodological debates surrounding the discipline, will be an integral part of the training. Finally, the student will need to demonstrate extensive knowledge of the relevant bibliography, continually updating and expanding their expertise through the independent study of texts, scientific articles, seminars, and conferences.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Lesson period
First semester
Online remote lessons
Course syllabus
The first set of lectures will be dedicated to the study of materials and the main execution techniques of historically and artistically significant artifacts, a fundamental premise for understanding the interaction between the artifact and its environment, assessing the state of conservation, interpreting diagnostic data, and planning maintenance and restoration interventions.
Starting from the relativism of the concept of restoration, the second set of lectures will illustrate its history and evolution in its methodological aspects, from ancient times to current approaches, taking into account the international research landscape.
The course will then focus on the discussion of restoration theories, particularly on the fundamental theoretical, critical, and methodological contribution of Cesare Brandi.
Finally, several case studies will be presented and discussed, highlighting the most significant and current diagnostic, conservation, and restoration projects carried out by museums and research institutions at both the national and international levels.
Starting from the relativism of the concept of restoration, the second set of lectures will illustrate its history and evolution in its methodological aspects, from ancient times to current approaches, taking into account the international research landscape.
The course will then focus on the discussion of restoration theories, particularly on the fundamental theoretical, critical, and methodological contribution of Cesare Brandi.
Finally, several case studies will be presented and discussed, highlighting the most significant and current diagnostic, conservation, and restoration projects carried out by museums and research institutions at both the national and international levels.
Prerequisites for admission
The course assumes a prior textbook-type knowledge of Italian art history. constituents of movable works of art. A sound understanding of the chemistry and rheology of the principal pigments and constituent materials of movable works of art is highly recommended.
Teaching methods
Lectures, with class discussions and seminar-based in-depth studies structured with on-site lessons.
Teaching Resources
Cesare Brandi, Teoria del restauro, La nave di Teseo, 2022
Simona Rinaldi, Storia tecnica dell'arte. Materiali e metodi della pittura e della scultura (secc. V-XIX), Carocci Editore, 2011
Booklet and scientific articles provided in class.
Simona Rinaldi, Storia tecnica dell'arte. Materiali e metodi della pittura e della scultura (secc. V-XIX), Carocci Editore, 2011
Booklet and scientific articles provided in class.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Oral exam
The final exam will focus on the topics covered during the course and will consist of an oral interview. The student will be required to demonstrate a deep understanding of the main historical events and the methodological issues related to restoration. A critical knowledge of the main problems, the methodologies used in the field, and the fundamental principles of modern restoration will also be required. The evaluation will take into account the ability to argue rigorously, the competence in formulating critical judgments, as well as the mastery of specialist terminology.
Evaluation criteria:
Excellent: Complete and in-depth knowledge of the topics, advanced critical skills, excellent use of specialist language, optimal argumentation and synthesis abilities.
Very good: Solid and well-articulated knowledge of the subject, good critical skills, correct use of technical terminology, clear and well-structured exposition.
Good: Complete preparation but with some inaccuracies, sufficient argumentative ability, adequate use of language, but with some limitations.
Sufficient: Basic knowledge of the topics covered, rote learning, limited ability to argue, not very fluent exposition, not always correct use of specialist language.
Insufficient: Significant gaps in knowledge, inability to argue or formulate critical judgments, inadequate use of technical language, confused exposition. The presence of significant gaps in knowledge and language use will result in failing the exam, which must be retaken.
The final exam will focus on the topics covered during the course and will consist of an oral interview. The student will be required to demonstrate a deep understanding of the main historical events and the methodological issues related to restoration. A critical knowledge of the main problems, the methodologies used in the field, and the fundamental principles of modern restoration will also be required. The evaluation will take into account the ability to argue rigorously, the competence in formulating critical judgments, as well as the mastery of specialist terminology.
Evaluation criteria:
Excellent: Complete and in-depth knowledge of the topics, advanced critical skills, excellent use of specialist language, optimal argumentation and synthesis abilities.
Very good: Solid and well-articulated knowledge of the subject, good critical skills, correct use of technical terminology, clear and well-structured exposition.
Good: Complete preparation but with some inaccuracies, sufficient argumentative ability, adequate use of language, but with some limitations.
Sufficient: Basic knowledge of the topics covered, rote learning, limited ability to argue, not very fluent exposition, not always correct use of specialist language.
Insufficient: Significant gaps in knowledge, inability to argue or formulate critical judgments, inadequate use of technical language, confused exposition. The presence of significant gaps in knowledge and language use will result in failing the exam, which must be retaken.
ICAR/19 - CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION OF ARCHITECTURE - University credits: 6
Lessons: 48 hours
Professor:
Grifoni Emanuela
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)