37485 - Chemical Methods of Examining Cultural Property

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student will acquire knowledge concerning the non destructive and microdestructive methods for the analyses of cultural heritage materials. The student will be able to: - be acquainted with the non destructive and micro destructive methods used for the characterization of pigments, binding media and degradation products on different cultural heritage supports; - be acquainted with the most advanced sample preparation techniques used for the preparation of cross sections; be able to define a suitable analytical protocol for the investigation of artistic materials.

Course contents

The course is devoted to the study of advanced analytical techniques used for the characterization of polychrome cultural heritage objects.

For each analytical methodology, the following aspects will be discussed:

• theoretical background;
• advanced instrumental configurations;
• advantages and limitations;
• criteria for selecting the most appropriate analytical technique according to the diagnostic problem;
• representative applications from the scientific literature;
• strategies for data interpretation.

The course will cover the following topics:

• integrated diagnostic strategies for cultural heritage investigations;
• advanced non-destructive analytical techniques;
• preparation methods for paint cross-sections;
• FTIR microscopy: principles, advanced instrumental configurations and applications;
• Raman microscopy: principles, advanced instrumental configurations and applications;
• immunological techniques: principles, advanced instrumental configurations and applications.

Particular emphasis will be placed on the design of integrated analytical protocols for the characterization of artists' materials and degradation products in cultural heritage. 

Activities aimed at proposing a critical use of AI will be also proposed.

Readings/Bibliography

Lectures' slides

Reference tests (not compulsory!):

Scientific examination for the investigation of paintings. A handbook for conservator-restorers. D. Pinna. M. Galeotti, R. Mazzeo (Ed). 2009, Centro Di, Firenze

Mills , R. White R. Organic material in museum objects , 2d ed.Oxford , Butterworth Heinemann , 1999

M.Matteini, R. Mazzeo, A.Moles. Chemistry for restoration, Nardini editore, Firenze 2016.

S. Prati, E. Joseph, G. Sciutto, R. Mazzeo ; New advances in the application of FTIR microscopy and spectroscopy for the characterization of artistic materials. Accounts of Chemical Research 792-801, June 2010, Vol. 43, n.6.

S. Prati, G. Sciutto, E. Catelli, A. Ashashina, R. Mazzeo,; Development of innovative embedding procedures for the analyses of paint cross sections in ATR FITR microscopy, Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, 2013, 405, 895-905.

S. Prati, F. Rosi, G. Sciutto, P. Oliveri, E. Catelli, C. Miliani, R. Mazzeo, Evaluation of the effect of different paint cross section preparation methods on the performances of Fourier Transformed Infrared Microscopy in Total Reflection mode, Microchemical Journal, 2013, 110, 314-319

Teaching methods

Teaching activities include:

• lectures supported by multimedia presentations;

• discussion of case studies;

• video demonstrations illustrating diagnostic methodologies;

• practical laboratory sessions;

• critical reading of scientific papers;

• group work and guided discussions based on the peer instruction approach;

• critical use of Artificial Intelligence tools.

The laboratory sessions will enable students to connect theoretical concepts with real-world challenges in the scientific diagnosis of cultural heritage and to develop the ability to select appropriate analytical techniques and critically interpret analytical results.

Due to the nature of the teaching activities and methods adopted, students are required to complete Modules 1 and 2 of the University’s e-learning health and safety training (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.

Attendance at lectures and laboratory sessions is not compulsory. However, participation in the practical laboratory activities is strongly recommended.

Prerequisites: successful completion of the compulsory course Chemistry for Restoration, as required by the Degree Programme, is necessary to effectively attend this course.

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 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