B2143 - PROCESSES IN CONSERVATION

Academic Year 2024/2025

  • Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
  • Campus: Ravenna
  • Corso: Second cycle degree programme (LM) in Science for the Conservation-Restoration of Cultural Heritage (cod. 8537)

Learning outcomes

The course is aimed at illustrating the role played by scientific examinations for the investigation of different works of art. The course follows an “answer to question” structure by considering the most frequent questions conservator-restorers are used to ask to conservation scientists along the overall duration of a conservation-restoration project. A broad range of questions are answered and are strictly related with key conservation issues such as material constitution, execution technique, state of conservation and treatments’ evaluation. To this purpose the possibility offered by the application of both destructive and/or non-destructive techniques to each specific question is presented, discussed and explained by making reference to real case studies. As the students will realize many can be the answers given to a specific question and they are strictly connected with the usefulness, availability, destructiveness/non-destructiveness of each scientific method.

Course contents

Introduction to the Conservation-Restoration international community

What is Conservation-Restoration, remedial conservation, restoration, preventive conservation

The iteractive Scientific method

The role of conservation scientists in answering specific questions raised by conservator-restorers, art hystorians, archaeologists, etc.

Readings/Bibliography

Transparencies and course notes: (virtuale.unibo.it)

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

Teaching methods

Lectures and laboratory sessions providing a basic understanding ofthe role science for conservation can play within different processes in conservation.

Assessment methods

The final examination consists of a ORAL DISCUSSION on the topics covered in class and laboratory sessions and is aimed at evaluating the theoretical knowledge acquired during the course, the possession of language skills and the acquisition of an organic vision of the covered course topics.
Good or excellent grades can be achieved by students who demonstrate a critical knowledge of the subject, who are able to apply theoretical concepts to practical examples and make use of an appropriate language. Mostly mnemonic knowledge, limited abilities of synthesis and analysis as well as imprecise language lead to grades ranging from discrete to sufficient. Important gaps, inappropriate language, lack of an overview of the topics covered will inevitably lead to a barely adequate grade or to a negative evaluation.

The topics discussed during the laboratory session are an integral part of the oral examination

At the end the teacher assigns a score (from 18/18 to a max of 30/30 cum laude-with honours) that reflects student's degree of preparation.

Teaching tools

Computer projector, PC.

Students are allowed to have access to the reserarch laboratory of the teacher provided that are accompained by him.

Seminar activities led by experts (restorers/conservation scientists)

Office hours

See the website of Giorgia Sciutto

SDGs

Quality education

This teaching activity contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN 2030 Agenda.