The aim of the course is to provide students with knowledge of the materials used throughout the history of art, their aesthetic characteristics, and their possible degradation processes:
Chemical and structural understanding of the different classes of materials (stone, metals, wood, paper, canvas, textiles, synthetic materials).
Fundamental knowledge of the structure of the main classes of materials employed in artworks, their use in different historical periods, and their possible technological applications.
Basic skills in diagnostic methods for the study of materials.
At the end of the course, students will be able to describe the structure of materials and explain their chemical characteristics in relation to their use in the history of art. Students will be able to compare and distinguish the properties of different materials and relate their historical use to the technological developments of humankind. They will also be able to understand some diagnostic analysis processes used to characterize the constituent materials of artworks.
Course Prerequisites
no requirements
Teaching Methods
Lectures supported by PowerPoint slides. Use of the blackboard.
Assessment Methods
The exam consists of an oral interview covering the entire program performed during the course, where the achievement of the learning aims will be assessed. In particular, the exam will focus on the student’s acquisition of the course content, the critical skills developed, the use of appropriate technical terminology and the ability to present the topics discussed. Appropriate language, technical–scientific knowledge, and the ability to reason about the properties of the historical materials used by artists will be evaluated positively.
Non-attending students will contact the professor by email.
Texts
1. I materiali dei beni culturali. Caratteristiche, classificazione, degrado, Cesare Fiori, Aracne, 2006 2. Scientific Methods and Cultural Heritage: An Introduction, Gilberto Artioli, OUP Oxford, 2010 3. Dizionario del restauro. Tecniche, diagnostica, conservazione, Nardini Editore, 2010
Contents
The course will be attended in person. The program will be based on the following points: 1. Principles of materials science, structure of matter, chemical structures and bonding. 2. Types of the main classes of materials used in the history of art: stone, metals, wood, paper, polychrome materials (pigments and dyes), textiles, and synthetic products (plastics). 3. Degradation processes, surface oxidation phases, and chromatic alterations. 4. Main diagnostic techniques for the investigation of materials, both invasive and non-invasive.
Course Language
Italian
More information
Reading activities with students involving internationally published scientific articles addressing the topics covered in the course.
Students who are authorized to benefit from inclusive teaching must contact the instructor in advance, so that additional office hours and any dedicated activities can be arranged. The regulations on inclusive teaching can be consulted at the following link: https://portale.unipv.it/it/didattica/servizi-lo-studente/modalita-didatticheinclusive
