HISTORY AND THEORIES OF RESTORATION AND CONSERVATION OF ART WORKS

The course is placed among the related or supplementary activities of the Master's Degree Course in History of the Arts and Conservation of the Artistic Heritage.

Teaching objectives are: to acquire the specific terminology related to the restoration of works of art (i.e. painting and sculpture) and to offer a solid historical and cultural framework of the development of restoration theories and practices, in particular between the 20th century and nowadays.

The notions learnt will foster the ability to navigate the major issues related to these topics in the present day and to develop skills useful for the interdisciplinary collaboration that characterises the future professional field.

- Knowledge and understanding: attendance of the course and individual study will enable students to acquire the specific vocabulary of restoration and conservation of works of art; to understand restoration as a cultural phenomenon and as a moment in the critical reception of an artwork; and to become familiar with the main critical issues that have emerged in restoration theory from the early modern period to the present.

- Ability to apply knowledge and understanding: ability to use the specific terminology; to consider movable works of art with attention to issues related to their conservation and restoration; and to identify sources useful for reconstructing the conservation history of an artwork.

- Making judgements: ability to analyse the conservation history of an artwork; to critically assess a restoration intervention in relation to the history of restoration and currently shared theories; and to connect material aspects with cultural ones.

- Communication skills: ability to use appropriate and specific terminology; and to engage in respectful and constructive discussion with instructors and peers on the topics of the course.

- Learning skills: knowledge of the main operations involved in a restoration intervention and ability to recognise their traces on an artwork; ability to situate the principal restoration methodologies and practices within their cultural context and meaning; and ability to reflect critically and independently on contemporary issues in restoration.

Knowledge of art history (at least modern) and the main techniques of painting and sculpture.

The course will focus on the theme of the authenticity of the material of the work of art in relation to its legibility, analysed from a diachronic perspective between the early modern period and the present. Through the presentation of case studies, cleaning and integration interventions on paintings and sculptures will be examined in order to understand the different cultural and methodological approaches that have guided restoration choices.

Adopted bibliography:

***The required bibliography will be made available before the start of the course***

Additional bibliography will be provided during the course through a list of recommended texts on the topics covered in the lessons. Students interested in reading texts in another language are kindly asked to contact me.

Students who have never studied the history of restoration would be better to previously read Alessandro Conti, 'Storia del restauro e della conservazione delle opere d'arte' (any edition) is recommended.

The examination will take place orally. The test will be aimed at verifying that the ability to use the discipline-specific vocabulary and the knowledge derived from the topics covered during the course and the bibliography have been acquired. More specific information will be provided during the lessons.
Students who are unable to attend the lectures may contact the teacher for clarification.

Please note: studying the required bibliography is a necessary condition for passing the exam.

oral

The lecturer has a duty to ensure that the rules regarding the authenticity and originality of exam tests and papers are respected. Therefore, if there is suspicion of irregular conduct, an additional assessment may be conducted, which could differ from the original exam description.

GRADING CRITERIA:
- correctness and propriety in the use of language and vocabulary specific to the discipline;
- correctness and completeness of knowledge of the topics covered in class and those learned through the study of the compulsory bibliography;
- ability to critically process knowledge.

Grades in range 18-22 will be awarded where the above-mentioned points reach a sufficient level; grades in range 23-26 will be awarded where the above-mentioned points reach a fair level; grades in range 27-30 will be awarded where the above-mentioned points reach an excellent level; honours will be awarded where the above-mentioned points reach an excellent level.

Lectures supported by teaching materials on power-point, made available at the end of each week on the e-learning platform moodle.unive.it; seminar discussion of restoration interventions with active participation of the students; participation of restorers and/or professionals working in the field of restoration.

Students are encouraged to follow the Moodle space of this course.

For any changes or updates, please always consult the Moodle space relating to the course and the teacher's notice board.

Ca' Foscari applies Italian Law (Law 17/1999; Law 170/2010) for the support and accommodation services available to students with disabilities or specific learning disorders. In the case of a motor, visual, hearing or other disability (Law 17/1999) or a specific learning disorder (Law 170/2010) and the need for support (classroom assistance, technological aids for carrying out examinations or individualised examinations, material in accessible format, note-taking, specialist tutoring to support study, interpreters or other), it is advisable to contact the Disability and DSA office: disabilita@unive.it.

Ca' Foscari has included in the University Strategic Plan 2021-2026 a point dedicated to "Inclusion, Social Justice, Gender Equality" (Flagship 7) and has adopted, from 2022, a GEP (Gender Equality Plan): https://www.unive.it/pag/fileadmin/user_upload/comunicazione/sostenibile/doc/Inclusione/Piano_di_Uguaglianza_di_Genere_CF_DEF.pdf

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Human capital, health, education" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development