This course describes the main diagnostic techniques employed to study the degradation of artifacts and to characterize restoration materials, and innovative conservation materials.
Topics:
Diagnostic techniques (thermal, spectroscopic, colorimetric, microscopy, etc.). The degradation of easel and mural paintings, varnishes, adhesives, supports (paper, canvas, wood, leather, parchment). Use of advanced materials for restoration, case studies.
Handouts and bibliographic material proposed by the teachers
Learning Objectives
Knowledge and Understanding: the course aims to train students on the diagnostic techniques and the use of materials to understand and remedy the degradation of works of art.
Learning skills: Through the presentation of the diagnostic techniques and materials, also summarized in case studies, the students will be provided with the fundamental methodologies that underpin conservation science.
Critical thinking: critical capacity in the analysis of the degradation process and the most suitable techniques for the characterization and restoration of works of art.
Communication: ability to communicate with appropriate vocabulary the skills acquired during the course.
Prerequisites
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Teaching Methods
Lectures
Type of Assessment
Oral exam to verify the student’s knowledge and autonomous judgment.
Course program
Easel paintings: composition and degradation; materials for the cleaning of paintings. SEM-EDX and its applications to diagnostics for cultural heritage. The aging of varnishes and adhesives; thermal analyses, atomic force microscopy, colorimetry. Sources of acidity in works of art; methods for monitoring enclosures in preventive conservation; VOCs absorbers in preventive conservation. Nanomaterials for the pH adjustment of artifacts. Degradation by salts, methods for its remediation. Consolidation of mural paintings with nanostructured materials. Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy: applications to Cultural Heritage conservation and to characterized advanced restoration materials. Techniques to characterize gel systems for the cleaning of artifacts and the removal of corrosion from metals. Degradation of silk and advanced consolidation materials. Consolidation of modern paintings with nanostructured materials. The degradation of leather and parchment and advanced materials for their restoration.