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 the restoration and conservation of works of art; to learn the main methods of intervention on paintings and sculptures and their cultural connotations observed through the changes that have occurred over time; to get to know the main protagonists of the history and theory of restoration, refining their awareness of the main problems related to conservation interventions.

-ability to apply knowledge and understanding: to know how to use the specific vocabulary; to know how to consider movable works of art with attention to the problems related to their conservation and restoration; to know how to trace the sources useful for the reconstruction of the conservation history of a work of art.

- judgement skills: to be able to analyse the conservation history of a work of art; to be able to critically analyse a restoration intervention in relation to the history of restoration, to currently accepted theories and to the relevant regulations; to be able to connect material aspects with cultural aspects.

- communication skills: to be able to use appropriate and specific terminology; to be able to engage in respectful and fruitful discussions with lecturers and colleagues on the topics of the course.

-learning skills: to know the main operations relating to a restoration project, to be able to recognise the traces on a work of art; to be able to place the main restoration methodologies and practices in their cultural context and significance; to be able to reflect critically and autonomously on present-day restoration problems

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

The course will be devoted to the restoration of works of art between the 20th century and today.
Starting with the development of Cesare Brandi's Theory of Restoration (1963), the lectures will proceed by tackling theoretical issues and case studies related to the application of restoration practices and methodologies, up to the contemporary debate.

Adopted [provisional] bibliography:

- Cesare Brandi, "Teoria del restauro" (1963), Turin 1977 (or later editions), pp. 3-47.
- Orietta Rossi Pinelli, "Le teorie del restauro dalla Carta di Atene a oggi", Torino 2023.
Further bibliography will be indicated at the beginning of the course. Students interested in bibliography in another language are asked to contact the teacher.

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 and to agree on specific programmes.

PLEASE NOTE: The study of the adopted bibliography is a necessary condition for passing the examination.

ASSESSMENT 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.
External visits to restoration laboratories will be arranged if numbers of students allow.

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

Italian

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

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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