23800 - Theories and History of Restoration

Learning outcomes

Students will be able to understand the complexity of the term “restoration”, the different approaches and how the intellectuals were able to build a conscience around the preservation of monuments. Through this course students will be able to evaluate the proposed intervention projects, but also to develop their own conscience and learn how to relate with the testimonies of the past.

Course contents

Preserve for future generations: historically this has been the main reason for the action of restoration. The idea of giving continuity to the testimonies of the past - both physical and spiritual - has characterised the Western approach to restoration since its inception. Nowadays restoration is a term under which we recognize different attitudes towards pre-existing architecture. These "attitudes" - and their evolution - constitute the history of restoration itself, which served as a basis for all theories that have later developed. Indeed the political, social and economic contexts influenced the theoretical debate on restoration and the legislation around preservation of monuments. The “carte del restauro” represent a meeting point between theory and praxis and allowed all intellectuals to share principles and to keep the debate alive.

The course is divided into three parts, the first discrimen coincides with the end of World War II, the second one with the publication of the 1964 Carta di Venezia.

Students will be able to understand the complexity of the term “restoration”, the different approaches and how the intellectuals were able to build a conscience around the preservation of monuments. Through this course students will be able to evaluate the proposed intervention projects, but also to develop their own conscience and learn how to relate with the testimonies of the past.

 

Readings/Bibliography

B. P. Torsello, Restauro Architettonico. Padri, Teorie, Immagini, Franco Angeli, Milano, 1985.

J. Jokilehto, History of Architectural Conservation, Butterworth-Heinemann, 1999

M.P. Sette, Il restauro in architettura. Quadro storico, Utet, Torino, 2001 (oppure versione precedente M.P. Sette , Profilo storico, in G. Carbonara (a cura di), Trattato di restauro architettonico, Utet, Torino, 1996

C. Di Biase, Il restauro e i monumenti. Materiali per la storia del restauro, CLUP. Milano, 2003

B. P. Torsello, Che cos’è il restauro? Nove studiosi a confronto, Marsilio, Venezia, 2005

S. Casiello , La cultura del restauro. Teorie e fondatori, Marsilio, Venezia, 2005

Further bibliography will be given during the course.

 

Teaching methods

Frontal lectures supported by slide presentations and guided tours to some significant monuments.

Assessment methods

During the examination the student, in addition to report on the comprehensive bibliography on schedule, will discuss a personal research on the term "restoration", starting from some proposed texts around this concept.

Teaching tools

Slide presentations and guided tours to some of the significant restored monuments.

Office hours

See the website of Leila Signorelli