90407 - Cultural Heritage Chemistry and Diagnostics II

Learning outcomes

The student will acquire knowledges related to the composition, structure, properties and chemical transformation of materials used in art. Moreover the student will be introduced at the use of chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques employed for the charcaterisation of artistic samples.

Course contents

The course is organised into two main parts.

The first part focuses on the materials used in the production of polychrome artworks, with particular emphasis on wall paintings and paintings on movable supports. The fundamental chemical properties of the main classes of constituent materials will be introduced, including:

• pigments and dyes;

• organic and inorganic binding media;

• fillers and inert materials;

• varnishes and protective coatings.

For each class of materials, the course will examine their chemical composition, principal properties, and functional role within the stratigraphic structure of a work of art. The main degradation and alteration processes affecting these materials, together with their consequences for the conservation of artworks, will also be discussed.

Finally, the course will introduce the principal classes of materials employed in the conservation and restoration of polychrome artworks, highlighting their functions, properties, and the main criteria for their selection.

The second part of the course is devoted to the principal analytical techniques used in the investigation of polychrome cultural heritage objects. For each analytical methodology, the following aspects will be presented:

• fundamental operating principles;

• instrumentation and analytical setup;

• non-destructive, micro-destructive or destructive nature of the technique;

• advantages and limitations;

• fields of application;

• the type of information that can be obtained;

• representative applications for the characterization of constituent materials, artistic techniques, and degradation phenomena.

The following analytical techniques will be covered:

• multispectral imaging for the detection of underdrawings, retouchings, alterations, and differences in the spectral response of materials;

• X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy, including portable instrumentation, for the elemental characterization of inorganic materials;

• portable FTIR and Raman spectroscopy for the in situ characterization of organic and inorganic materials;

• FTIR microscopy for molecular characterization and the investigation of material distribution in paint cross-sections;

• Raman microscopy for the identification of pigments, degradation products, and other organic and inorganic phases;

• gas chromatography (GC) for the characterization of binding media, varnishes, and other organic materials;

• liquid chromatography (LC) for the analysis of dyes, degradation products, and other organic compounds of historical and artistic interest.

Particular emphasis will be placed on comparing the different analytical methodologies and selecting the most appropriate diagnostic approach according to the analytical question, the characteristics of the artwork, and sampling constraints.

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Readings/Bibliography

La chimica nel restauro. I materiali dell'arte pittorica,

Mauro Matteini Arcangelo Moles

Nardini, 2007

Teaching methods

Teaching methods

Teaching activities include:

• lectures supported by multimedia presentations;
• presentation and discussion of videos illustrating artists' materials, artistic techniques, and diagnostic methodologies;
• practical exercises aimed at selecting the most appropriate analytical techniques and designing simple analytical protocols;
• discussion of case studies;
• critical reading of scientific papers;
• group work and guided discussions based on the peer instruction approach;
• practical laboratory sessions.

The lectures will provide students with the fundamental knowledge of the constituent materials of polychrome artworks, their degradation processes, and the principles underlying the main analytical techniques used in cultural heritage diagnostics.

Exercises, case studies, and peer instruction activities are designed to develop students' ability to compare different analytical methodologies, select the most appropriate technique for a specific diagnostic question, and justify their methodological choices.

The practical laboratory sessions will enable students to observe the application of analytical techniques, relate theoretical concepts to experimental data, and develop critical skills in data interpretation.

Due to the nature of the teaching activities and methods adopted, all students are required to complete Modules 1 and 2 of the University's online health and safety training programme (https://www.unibo.it/it/servizi-e-opportunita/salute-e-assistenza/salute-e-sicurezza/sicurezza-e-salute-nei-luoghi-di-studio-e-tirocinio ) and to attend Module 3 on specific health and safety training for study environments. Information on the schedule and attendance procedures for Module 3 is available in the dedicated section of the Degree Programme website.

Course attendance is compulsory, in accordance with the Degree Programme Teaching Regulations.

Assessment methods

Assessment is based on an oral examination designed to evaluate the achievement of the intended learning outcomes of the course.

During the examination, students will be expected to demonstrate their ability to:

• describe the composition and properties of the materials employed in polichrome manufacts

• the principles of the analytical techniques covered during the course;

• compare their advantages, limitations and fields of application;

• select the most appropriate analytical methodology for a specific diagnostic problem;

• critically interpret experimental data and application case studies;

• design an analytical protocol for the characterization of artistic materials;

• use the scientific terminology of the discipline accurately and appropriately.

Particular emphasis will be placed on the critical discussion of the laboratory activities, in order to assess the student's ability to integrate theoretical knowledge with experimental applications.

Students are also expected to demonstrate a solid understanding of the chemical structures of the main classes of historical artistic materials, including proteins, lipids, polysaccharides, terpenes and the principal historical pigments.

Assessment criteria

30 with honours–30

Comprehensive mastery of the course contents, excellent critical thinking skills, a high degree of independent judgement, the ability to design appropriate diagnostic strategies, and rigorous use of scientific terminology.

27–29

Thorough knowledge of the course contents, good application and interpretation skills, autonomy in selecting appropriate analytical techniques, and appropriate scientific language.

24–26

Overall good knowledge of the course contents, adequate but not fully autonomous application skills, and satisfactory critical thinking ability.

18–23

Essential knowledge of the course contents, predominantly descriptive approach, limited autonomy in applying knowledge, and scientific terminology that is not always precise.

Fail

Inadequate achievement of the intended learning outcomes, with significant deficiencies in both knowledge and practical application skills.

Use of Artificial Intelligence in the assessment

During the examination, students are allowed to consult the laboratory report produced as results of the practical sessions. The use of Artificial Intelligence tools in the preparation of this report is permitted, as the assessment focuses primarily not on the results obtained during the laboratory activities themselves, but on the student's critical interpretation of the data and their ability to discuss and justify the analytical process.

 

Teaching tools

PC, projector

Students with learning disorders and\or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students ) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.

Office hours

See the website of Silvia Prati