HISTORY AND THEORIES OF RESTORATION AND CONSERVATION OF ART WORKS

The course aims to provide students with the critical and methodological tools for study on the theory and history of restoration.
Addressing specific problems related to the methods of restoration and conservation of works of art and their changes over time, the course allows students to broaden their knowledge of the theoretical and practical debate related to these issues. Particular attention will be given to historical sources in order to understand the variation of practices over time and the specific vocabulary.
The course of History and theories of restoration is part of the Master's degree in History of the Arts and Conservation of the Artistic Heritage.

- knowledge and understanding: to know the specific vocabulary of restoration and conservation of works of art; know the main methodologies of intervention on paintings and sculptures and the related debate in its evolution over time.
- ability to apply knowledge and understanding: know how to use the specific vocabulary; know how to read and interpret the information relating to restoration work in historical sources.
- judgment ability: to know how to analyse the conservative history of a work of art; know how to read a historical source to understand the debate related to restoration.
- communication skills: knowing how to use appropriate and specific terminology, introduced and explained in lessons or in reference texts; knowing how to compare profitably with teachers and colleagues around the topics of the course.
- learning skills: on the basis of reference material, to know how to interpret the sources of restoration history to understand the operations that took place on a work of art and the related theoretical debate.

A basic knowledge of art history and artistic techniques is desirable.

The course will examine, in its various aspects, the history of conservation and restoration practices over the centuries, with particular regard to the Veneto case.
The lectures, with a diachronic approach, will offer targeted focus on the major conservation interventions and the main authors involved, analyzing the dynamics of the phenomenon and identifying the methodological tools to achieve its correct critical interpretation.

- Lessons notes


For an overview of the history and theory of restoration:

- Alessandro Conti, Storia del restauro e della conservazione delle opere d’arte, Milano 1988 (o 2002).

- Cesare Brandi, Teoria del restauro, Torino 1977 (o edizioni successive).


Specific bibliography on Venice:

- Loredana Olivato, Provvedimenti della repubblica Veneta per la salvaguardia del patrimonio pittorico nei secoli XVII e XVIII, Venezia 1974.

- Loredana Olivato, Sandra Rossi, Conservazione e restauro all’Accademia di Venezia nel Settecento, in L’Accademia di Belle Arti di Venezia. Il Settecento, I, a cura di Giuseppe Pavanello, Crocetta del Montello 2015, pp. 311-322.

- Giuseppina Perusini, Il restauro a Venezia nell’Ottocento: un ‘affaire accademico’, in L’Accademia di Belle Arti di Venezia. L’Ottocento, I, a cura di Nico Stringa, Crocetta del Montello 2016, pp. 167-185.


Bibliography and additional documents will be indicated during the course.

The exam will take place in the form of an oral discussion of the topics covered during the lessons, with presentation of a personal paper.

Frontal lectures with images projections, readings, dialogic interaction with students, participation of experts, visits to restoration laboratories, possible seminar activities.
The course uses the university e-learning platform (moodle.unive.it), where teaching materials will be made available.

Italian

For any updates or additions, please consult the Moodle page of the course.

Ca 'Foscari applies Italian law (Law 17/1999; Law 170/2010) for support and accommodation services available to students with disabilities or with specific learning disabilities. In case of motor, visual, hearing or other disabilities (Law 17/1999) or a specific learning disorder (Law 170/2010) and need for support (classroom assistance, technological aids for carrying out individualized exams or exams, accessible format material, notes retrieval, specialist tutoring to support the study, interpreters or other), please contact the Disability and SLD office: disable@unive.it.

oral

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