Term: Fall, Spring

Prerequisites: None

This course focuses on two main practices: preventive conservation and treatment analysis. Preventive conservation entails analyzing painting techniques and determining the cause of deterioration and whether deterioration is passive or active. The aim is to introduce all preventive measures needed in order to avoid having to undertake treatment again in the future. Treatment analysis entails diagnosing the best possible intervention, when treatment is indeed necessary, to prevent decay and deterioration. On-site conservation projects on either plaster wall decorations or wall paintings and detached wall paintings are taken on as case studies. Students are expected to work in teams, together with professional conservators, following a pre-established protocol starting with analysis, diagnostics, preventive outlook, preventive treatments, and aesthetic treatments. Students are shown how to undertake preliminary and final condition reports. Preliminary tests and treatment applications are carried out by students under the supervision of professional conservators. Methods, techniques, procedures, and materials are discussed as each conservation stage is carried out. In addition to workshop practice, conservation theory is an integral part of the class and is taught on site. Students explore historical concerns, ethical issues, problems in diagnostic analysis, and plans for future preservation. Interventions are mainly carried out under the direction of the Italian Ministry of Cultural and Artistic Heritage. See an example of a technical report on the restoration of the tabernacle The Holy Family by Giovanni di San Giovanni. 

(See syllabus below. An updated syllabus will be posted at the beginning of each term.)

Syllabus & Faculty

• Fall 2019 (Daniela Murphy Corella)
• Spring 2020 (Daniela Murphy Corella & Philip Kron Morelli)