77767 - Cultural Heritage Chemistry and Diagnostics I

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student possesses knowledge of the composition, structure, properties and chemical transformations of materials used in the production of wall paintings and of chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques for their characterisation. In particular, he/she is able to - know and classify pigments, binders, adhesive varnishes and their chemical transformations; - know the most useful diagnostic techniques for the characterisation of the aforementioned materials.

Course contents

• Environment\Material interaction: degradation and diagnostics of the state of conservation

• Materials and methods for restoration

• Characterization of materials and their degradation products, through metallography with optical and scanning electron microscopy with microanalysis (SEM-EDAX) and portable X-ray fluorescence, FTIR (MIR and FIR) and FTIR microscopy, RX diffractometry.

Readings/Bibliography

1. Lucidi ed appunti di lezione
2. M.Matteini, R.Mazzeo, A.Moles. Chemistry for restoration: painting and restoration materials. Nardini editore, Firenze 2016.
3. M.Marabelli.Conservazione e restauro dei metalli d'arte. Roma. Accademia del Lincei, Anno CCCXCII, 1995.
4. R. Mazzeo, “Patine su manufatti metallici†in Le patine: genesi significato e conservazione, Nardini Editore, Kermesquaderni, pp.29-43, 2005
5. Licia Vlad Borrelli, Restauro archeologico. Storia e materiali. Viella Editore, 2003.
6. E. Formigli. I grandi bronzi antichi. Le fonderie e le tecniche di lavorazione dall'età arcaica al Rinascimento. Nuova Immagine Editrice, 1999.

Teaching methods

The course will consist of classroom lessons with power point presentations and video projections and 16 hours of laboratory focused on the characterization of metallic artifacts

Assessment methods

The final exam consists of an oral discussion on the topics covered during the course and has the objective of verifying whether the theoretical knowledge acquired reflects an organic vision of the topics of the course.
Students will obtain a good or excellent score if they demonstrate a critical knowledge of the topics and if they are able to apply theoretical knowledge to practical cases.
If the verified knowledge will be of only mnemonic nature with limited synthesis and analysis skills, the score will be from fair to sufficient. The evaluation will be insufficient if the student presents important gaps or lacks understanding of key topics of the course.
The topics covered during the laboratory sessions will be an integral part of the oral exam.
At the end, the teacher assigns a score ranging from 18/30 to 30/30 with the possibility of Honors.

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.

Teaching tools

Projector, PC, diagnostic and restoration laboratory

Office hours

See the website of Cristina Chiavari

See the website of Giorgia Sciutto