CULTURAL HERITAGE SCIENCE LABORATORY

Academic year
2023/2024 Syllabus of previous years
Official course title
LABORATORIO DI SCIENZE DEI BENI CULTURALI
Course code
CT0599 (AF:374021 AR:202836)
Modality
On campus classes
ECTS credits
6
Degree level
Bachelor's Degree Programme
Educational sector code
CHIM/12
Period
2nd Semester
Course year
2
Moodle
Go to Moodle page
The course aims to provide students with the knowledge and skills useful for assessing the state of conservation of a cultural asset and for planning conservation and restoration operations in a coherent manner, as well as to understand the connection between the subjects characterising basic scientific training (e.g. Institutions of Mathematics with exercises; General Chemistry with exercises and Laboratory; Cell Biology with elements of microbiology) and the sector of research on Heritage science.
The main aim of the course is to help students understand the potential of technical-scientific investigation methods for the study of Cultural Heritage, aimed at knowledge, characterisation and preventive conservation.

Through practical experiences on objects of historical and cultural interest or the preparation of replicas in the laboratory, students will have the opportunity to understand and draw up the cognitive process that characterises a Cultural Heritage: multidisciplinarity; application of traditional and avant-garde investigation methodologies; invasive and non-invasive analytical methods, comparison and research with the literature in the sector, etc.
The course aims to develop the student's critical ability to understand the state of conservation of an object and in particular to read and understand the cultural heritage in its various aspects. Particular attention will also be paid to the understanding of the critical importance of the data for the evaluation of the state of conservation, the selection of possible diagnostic techniques to be used in relation to the materials and the cognitive needs.
Knowledge and understanding
Knowledge and understanding of the relationships between art sciences and materials
Understanding the connection between theoretical aspects of conservation and practical intervention in cultural heritage.
Understanding which diagnostic techniques are suitable and how they should be selected.
To understand the data collected in relation to the materials studied, their state of conservation, the need for intervention also through the analysis of scientific articles and/or case studies.
To understand the connections between history, art, materials, technologies and environment.

Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
Ability to assess the conservation needs of an artwork
Ability to assess the connections between the sciences (chemical, physical, biological, etc.) and cultural heritage goods
Ability to apply the concepts acquired in basic training courses to cultural heritage goods
Ability to select the correct diagnostic and cognitive procedure in relation to the materials
Ability to write a condition report and propose a diagnostic plan
Basic knowledge of inorganic and organic chemistry, physics and general culture. These are theoretical contents and competencies that the regularly enrolled student has already acquired in the basic training courses. It is essential to have successfully completed the course in Scienze Chimiche per i BBCC (first semester).

The materials of art and architecture: observation of different types of materials (stone, ceramic, paper, painting, etc.), use of some basic investigation techniques for the recognition of some characteristics and pathologies of degradation.
Discussion of the data collected and their critical analysis using sector research, databases and publications.
Invasive and non-invasive techniques for the study of materials: some examples and practical applications
Creation and study of stratigraphic sections and replicas
Use of basic diagnostic methods: optical and digital microcopy, spectrocolorimetra, infrared analysis
Appunti di lezione, dispense e testi relativi alle varie tematiche ed esperienze sono forniti durante il corso. Libri di testo/bibliografia in lingua inglese e italiana sono disponibili in gran parte presso la biblioteca di Area Scientifica (BAS) del Campus di Via Torino (Venezia-Mestre) o tramite prestito intrabibliotecario.

Mora P., et al. La conservazione delle pitture murali, Editrice Compositori
Matteini M. et al. La Chimica nel Restauro - I materiali dell’arte pittorica
Paolillo L. e Giudicianni I. La diagnostica nei beni culturali: moderni metodi di indagine, Loghìa, 2009
Artioli G. e Angelini I, Scientific methods and cultural heritage: an introduction to the application of materials science to archaeometry and conservation science, Oxford University Press, 2010
Caneva G. et al. Vol 1: Biodeterioramento e conservazione, Nardini Editore
Montagnana G. I pigmenti: prontuario per l’arte e il restauro, Nardini Editore
Lazzarini L. et al. Il restauro della pietra, Utet Scienze Tecniche
Pinna D., et al. Controllo del degrado biologico, Nardini Editore
Amoroso A., Trattato di conservazione, ALinea Ed
Derrick M. R. et al. Infrared spectroscopy in conservation science, The Getty Conservation Institute
Matteini M. et al. Scienza e restauro: metodi di indagine, Nardini Editore
Alrovandia A., Picollo M. Metodi di documentazione e di indagini non invasive su dipinti, Il Prato, 2001
Bonsanti G. e Giannini C. Dizionario del restauro: tecniche, diagnostica, conservazione, Nardini Editore, 2010
Articoli selezionati forniti dal docente
The final exam will be an oral interview on the material delivered during the course and a critical discussion of a report prepared by the students in groups, on the practical experiences carried out and on a topic of their choice relating to the course programme. The topic is chosen after discussion with the lecturer. The oral examination is judged by a grade in thirtieths.
Frontal lectures, laboratory exercises, study visits.
If at the time of the start of the course there are still restrictions regarding the Covid-19 emergency, the teacher will organize the course accordingly to the indications of the University

Italian
Course language
Italian
Italian/English in case of Erasmus students
THE STRUCTURE AND CONTENT OF THE COURSE MAY CHANGE IN THE EVENT OF RESTRICTIONS DUE TO THE COVID-19 EPIDEMIC.
oral
Definitive programme.
Last update of the programme: 15/03/2023