21680 - History of Art Techniques

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student will have a deep knowledge of the different executive techniques of works of art, the cultural foundations to be able to proceed with any restoration. Through the study of the evolution over time of several art techniques, the student, will investigate the relationships beetween the history of the taste and the history of restoration. In particular, the student will be able to determine what materials are used for the realization of the support and the image of work of art, the first step to determine the conditions of conservation.

Course contents

The course, which aims to provide the opportunity to study and learn about the history of artistic techniques through the study of ancient literature and sources of direct observation of several case studies, will focus in particular on the noblest of Italian pictorial practices, the "fresco". An incredible journey through two millennia of history of frescoes will start from the Roman wall paintings at Pompei and Ercolano, will continue with the Byzantine churches of Puglia, and then again with the investigation into the practice used by the great masters of the Fourteenth century, of the Renaissance and of modern age. Particular attention will be placed on the study of the relationship between sinopia and frescoes, between preparatory drawing and final execution on the wet plaster. The second part of the course will be dedicated to the mural paintings realized by the most important italian masters of the "great and long age of fresco". Students will have the opportunity to study the works of art thanks to the photos taken in important historic sites. In the sixteen hours passed in the lab, students will be able to study walls and frescoes according to an empirical approach that will allow the knowledge of the different pigments and binders (and of the different techniques and styles).Wide space will also be dedicated to the investigation and study of stained glass painted between the Medieval Agee and the Renaissance, with particular attention to Italian cases and to the theoretical, practical and conservative aspects of this ancient technique.

Readings/Bibliography

Istitutional: PLINIO IL VECCHIO, Naturalis historia, ed. cons. Storia delle arti antiche, libri XXXIV-XXXVI, BUR, Milano, 2000; C. CENNINI, Il libro dell'arte, a cura di F. FREZZATO, con la prefazione di G. BONSANTI, Neri Pozza, Vicenza 2009; G. VASARI, Le vite dei più eccellenti pitturi, scultori et architettori, Firenze 1568, ed cons., Einaudi, Torino, 1995, solo introduzione Vol. I (solo l'introduzione dedicata alle tecniche); G. B. ARMENINI, De' veri precetti della pittura, Ravenna 1587, ed. cons. Einaudi, Torino 1988; F. NEGRI ARNOLDI, Il mestiere dell'arte. Introduzione alla storia delle tecniche artistiche, Napoli, Paparo Edizioni, 2001; C. GIANNINI, Materiali e procedimenti esecutivi della pittura murale, FIrenze, 2009; S. RINALDI, Storia tecnica dell’arte. Materiali e metodi della pittura e della scultura (secc. V-XIX), Roma 2011, pp. 13-46; 53-56; 71-77; 92-103; 109-161; 169-201; 239-256; Le tecniche artistiche, a cura di C. MALTESE, ed. cons. U. Mursia, 2014;AA.VV., Le vetrate - tecnica e storia, a cura di G. Marchini, Novara 1977.

Monographic: U. PROCACCI, Sinopie e affreschi, Milano 1960; U. PROCACCI, La tecnica degli antichi affreschi e il loro distacco e restauro, Firenze 1958; R. PANICHI, La tecnica dell'arte negli scritti di Giorgio Vasari, Firenze 1991; C. BAMBACH, Drawing and Painting in the Italian Renaissance workshop. Theory and practice, 1300-1600, New York, 1999; P. e L. MORA, P. PHILIPPOT, La conservazione delle pitture murali, ICCROM, Bologna 1999, pp.pp. 1-21, 69-85, 102-173,392-442; Tecnica e stile: esempi di pittura murale del Rinascimento italiano, a cura di E. BORSOOK, F. SUPERBI GIOFFREDI, Cinisello Balsamo, 1986, (del primo volume solo le pp. 11-25; 43-68; 73-82;131-134;del secondo volume tutte le foto); B. ZANARDI, Giotto e Pietro Cavallini. La questione di Assisi e il cantiere medievale della pittura a fresco, Milano 2002; Dalla carta ai muri. Progettare e disegnare l'Arte Urbana. Dado, Corn, Ravo, catalogo della mostra, a cura di L. CIANCABILLA, Bologna 2018; L. VLAD BORRELLI, La pittura murale nell’antichità. Storia, tecniche, conservazione, Roma 2015; E. CASTELNUOVO, Vetrate medievali, Milano 1994;
C. BRISAC, Le vetrate struttura e luce: dodici secoli di capolavori, Milano 2002.

Teaching methods

During the lessons the professor will show slides to the students to introduce them to the visul knowledge of the works of art. Lectures will be complemented by visits to museums and art galleries and public or private laboratories of restoration, and restoration site.

Assessment methods

The exam will consist of an interview in order to check the understanding of the topics discussed in the lectures and the texts in program by the student (divided in two parts, institutional and monographic).

Teaching tools

• Color/black and white slides
• Visits to museums and public collections
• Visits to public and private restoration laboratories
• Visits to restoration yards

Office hours

See the website of Luca Ciancabilla