The course presents the most significant events in the history of restoration with the aim of tools for understanding the relationships between historical-artistic knowledge and historical-technical data and for the planning of conservation and treatments.
- M. Ciatti, Appunti per un manuale di storia e di teoria del restauro, Firenze, Edifir, 2009
- A. Conti, Storia del restauro e della conservazione delle opere d'arte, Electa, 2002
- Articles and essays provided during the course according to the topics covered during each lesson
Learning Objectives
Goals to achieve:
• Knowledge of the history of restoration and critical debate from the sixteenth century to the present day
• Understanding of the main fields of application of diagnostics for restoration
• Basic notions on the restoration theory of Cesare Brandi and Umberto Baldini
• Knowledge of degradation phenomena as well as the treatment phases and techniques on some types of art works
• Learning of technical language
Skills to be acquired:
• Distinguish the restoration interventions of the past and evaluate the condition of a painting for historical-artistic studies and for identify the necessary scientific investigations
• Place old treatments in a historical and cultural context
• Recognize any anachronistic elements in an artistic work
• Understand the technical language to facilitate communication between all the professionals involved
Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of Art History and history of artistic techniques.
Teaching Methods
The course includes lessons and external visits, to deepen the topics, treated in theoretical form. Possible organization of seminar lessons, for the analysis of artworks, through which scientific, technical and historical-artistic contributions can converge synergistically.
Further information
For any information, please contact the teacher by email.
Type of Assessment
Oral exam on the topics discussed during the lessons, which will be an integral part of the final examination.
Course program
The course deals with the evolution of the concept and practice of restoration in relation to:
• the historical-cultural context, influenced by the value and function of art
• the modern development of scientific knowledge for the analysis and knowledge of artistic materials
1. Technical evolution of wall paintings and paintings on canvas and panels from the origin to the present day: characteristics of the supports, grounds, pictorial film and finishing layers for understanding past interventions
2. History and examples of detachments of wall paintings
3. History and examples of color transports
4. Italian restoration manuals, anticipated by the French ones, but curiously emerged in the Italian historical context in the nineteenth century with the consequent development of local traditions
5. History of the phenomenon of copies and fakes, related to private collecting: the topic will be related to the development of scientific investigations, applied since the nineteenth century, and to that of the connoisseur for the identification of a fake and / or an invasive restoration
6. Restoration and restorers: evolution of the concept of restoration from seventeenth-century debates to modern restoration theory. Evolution of the restorer, who gradually changed from a creative artist of the past to the role of highly specialized and qualified conservator able to work in team with historians and scientists
7. Restoration techniques: from conservative history to the causes of degradation of a case study to understand the choice of intervention methods. In fact, a correct restoration must start from a global knowledge of the work of art from the historical-artistic and technical-scientific point of view: the best results are achieved through a dialogue between the different professional figures, called to interact for the conservation of the art work. Each one with own competence gives important specific contribution: so it's necessary to get used to dialogue and comparison through a common language and a sharing of data