Techniques and Conservation (U02815)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 10 ? Acronym : ACE-4-U02815

The course content comprises a study of the changing ethics, attitudes, principles and techniques of Conservation in major European Institutions, and the effects of these conservation interventions on the present appearance of works of art in their collections. Students examine changes in the appearance of works of art caused by decay, damage and the inherent nature of materials and methods involved in their making. Students are introduced to the principles of conservation that under-lie the many differing approaches to cleaning, varnish removal, consolidation, reintegration and retouching. The course considers how conservators can best intervene in order to preserve works of art while remaining true to the intention of the artist.
The relationship of connoisseurship to past and present practices of conservation will be studied, and the influence of different tastes and practices in different countries and in different periods on the appearance of specific works of art will be identified. Large scale, international projects, such as the cleaning of Michelangelo's Sistine Ceiling, emergency work after the 1966 Floods at Florence and the recent earthquakes at Assisi, and Leonardo's Last Supper will be examined as case histories.

? Keywords : history of art techniques conservation fine art

Entry Requirements

? Pre-requisites : A pass at 50% or above in either History of Art 2 or Architectural History 2A and 2B

Variants

? This course has variants for part year visiting students, as follows

Techniques and Conservation(VS1) (Not being delivered)

Subject Areas

Home subject area

History of Art, (School of Arts, Culture and Environment, Schedule A)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : 4th year

? Delivery Period : Not being delivered

? Contact Teaching Time : 2 hour(s) per week for 11 weeks

? Additional Class Information : Seminars will take place on Fridays 1110-1300 and 1400-1550. Students will attend one of these.

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

The students will gain an understanding of the influence of different materials and processes on the appearance of works of art. The will understand the visual effects of change, decay and conservation intervention. They will be able to gain some practical experience in the conservation research laboratory. They will learn to work in groups and to give a summary of their work to the class in a formal oral presentation.