| CODE | BLH4027 | ||||||||||||
| TITLE | Traditional Materials and Techniques 1 | ||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 04 - Years 4, 5 in Modular UG or PG Cert Course | ||||||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 6 | ||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 5 | ||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Conservation and Built Heritage | ||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | The study of the original materials and technique of cultural heritage objects is a core component in the training of conservators, since it is essential to fully understand the significance of works of art, their physical and chemical properties, which are all key aspects on which conservation decisions are based. This Study-unit will provide an introduction to the study of original materials and technology of decorative architectural surfaces, easel paintings and stone artifacts. It will do so by explaining what this area of study entails, its relevance for conservation, and by providing an overview of the different methods and sources of information that can be used, in particular text sources, real objects and historically-accurate reconstructions. The wide range of information that can be obtained from the study of traditional materials and techniques, the impact that such information has on the significance and knowledge of cultural heritage objects, as well as of the artistic and socio-historic context that produced the object will also be emphasized. Whenever possible practical examples (case studies) applicable to all streams will be used, and also discussed through site visits. The study-unit will also provide an introduction to broad classes of different traditional materials, along with their basic chemical and physical properties. This introduction to traditional materials will provide a basis on which the subsequent module BLH4028-4030 (Traditional Materials and Techniques 2), specifically tailored for the needs of each stream (Decorative Architectural Surfaces / Stone / Easel Paintings), will build on. Practical applications and exercises related to the use of materials and techniques provided throughout this SU will be carried out in BLH4031 'Development of Practical and Manual Skills 1' Study-Unit Aims: - To explain what the study of traditional materials and techniques entails and its relevance for conservation and for improving our understanding on cultural heritage objects and their cultural context; - To provide an overview on the tools/methods used to study traditional materials and techniques; - To provide a basic understanding of broad classes of materials composing cultural heritage objects; - To provide a basic understanding of the chemical and physical properties of the materials composing cultural heritage objects. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Define what the study of traditional materials and techniques entails and its relevance for improving our understanding of cultural heritage objects and for their conservation; - Identify and explain the key methods and sources of information commonly employed for studying traditional materials and techniques and discuss their complementary nature; - Identify the basic physical and chemical characteristics and properties of the main classes of materials composing a range of cultural heritage objects. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Recognise the cultural heritage object as a source of information; - Identify the multidisciplinary and complementary nature of methods of investigation; - Broadly recognize the impact that physical and chemical properties of materials have in the conservation of cultural heritage objects. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Texts: - Borrelli, E. 1999. ARC Laboratory Handbook, Binders. ICCROM (Available at https://www.iccrom.org/sites/default/files/ICCROM_14_ARCLabHandbook02_en.pdf - Broecke, L. 2015. Cennino Cennini's Il Libro Dell'arte: A New English Translation and Commentary with Italian Transcription. Archetype, (Available Main Library General) - Dorge, V. and Carey Howlett, F. 1998. Painted Wood: History and Conservation. Getty Conservation Institute (Available at Bighi Library General and at https://www.getty.edu/conservation/publications_resources/pdf_publications/paintedwood.html) - Hill Stoner, J. and Rushfield, R. (Eds) 2012. Conservation of Easel Paintings. Routledge (Available at Main Library General) - Howard, H. 2003. Pigments of English Medieval Wall Painting. Archetype, (Available at Main Library General) - Maclehose, L. S. and Baldwin Brown, G. 1960. Vasari on Tecnique : Being the Introduction to the Three Arts of Design, Architecture, Sculpture and Painting, Prefixed to the Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors and Architects. Dover Publications (Available at Bighi Library General) - Merrifield, M.P. 1999. Medieval and Renaissance Treatises on the Arts of Painting: Original Texts with English Translations. Dover Publications (Available at Main Library General) - Merrifield, M.P. 2003. The Art of Fresco Painting in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Dover Publications, 2003 (Available at Faculty of Built Env. Library General) - Rockwell, P. 1993. The Art of Stoneworking: A Reference Guide. Cambridge University Press (Available at the Main Library General) - The Art of Making in Antiquity. Stoneworking in the Roman World. https://artofmaking.ac.uk/content/essays/3-stoneworking-techniques-and-processes-w-wootton-b-russell-p-rockwell/ Supplementary Readings: - Carlyle, L. and Witlox, M. 2007. Historically Accurate Reconstructions of Artists’ Oil Painting Materials. Tate Papers no. 7 (Available at https://www.tate.org.uk/research/tate-papers/07/historically-accurate-reconstructions-of-artists-oil-painting-materials) - Gettens, R. J., and Stout, G.L. 1966. Painting Materials : A Short Encyclopaedia. Dover Publications (Available at Bighi Library General) - Schnabel, L. 2008. APT Bulletin: The Journal of Preservation Technology, Vol. 39, No. 1, pp. 1-4 (Available at https://www.jstor.org/stable/25433935) https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/research/about-research/the-meaning-of-making/vermeer-and-technique |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Fieldw, Ind Study, Lec, Tut, Onl Learn & Grp Learn | ||||||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | David-Frank Bugeja Jo Ann Cassar Roberta De Angelis Chiara Pasian Jennifer Porter Will Wootton |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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