| CODE | BLH5509 | ||||||
| TITLE | Examination and Analysis for Conservation 2: Decorative Architectural Surfaces | ||||||
| UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | ||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 7 | ||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 5 | ||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Conservation and Built Heritage | ||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit will build on "Examination and Analysis 1". It will provide insights into the approach and methods employed to characterize the materials of Decorative Architectural Surfaces, their properties and deterioration, giving essential information for setting up the intervention criteria and for designing conservation treatments. Among the methods primarily used to characterize the constituent materials of decorative architectural surfaces are Polarising Light Microscopy (PLM) for the identification of pigments, and plaster components; Vibrational spectroscopic techniques (FTIR and Raman); Chromatographic techniques, such as GCMS and HPLC. The study-unit also includes scientific investigations specifically addressing deterioration products, in particular soluble salts (qualitative and quantitative analysis), as well as testing procedures employed to characterize physical and mechanical properties of porous materials (i.e. mortars, clay bricks, stone), commonly used in the design of plaster repairs and grouts. The theoretical content of the study-unit will be closely linked to relevant practical applications, primarily carried out in a laboratory set-up using reference material or mock-up samples. Practical applications will give students the opportunity to understand the methodology, application and relevance of each technique. Throughout the study-unit particular emphasis will be placed on the significance, impact and use of the analytical results for tailoring the conservation strategy and intervention to the specific properties and needs of decorative architectural surfaces. Study-unit Aims: 1. Describe the principles, application, potential and limitations of a number of scientific analytical techniques to characterize the materials, and deterioration products of decorative architectural surfaces; 2. Explain the selection of a correct analytical protocol to produce relevant data for specific research questions; 3. Explain the relevance of the results obtained from scientific investigation methods for the conservation of decorative architectural surfaces and their knowledge in general; 4. Emphasize the iterative process of the analytical investigations. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Explain the main principles of the scientific investigation methods covered by the study unit, their application, potential and limitations for the study and analysis of decorative architectural surfaces; - Critically discuss the importance of setting up an appropriate analytical protocol, with specific analytical techniques, for a specific research question related to decorative architectural surfaces; - Elaborate, interpret and present the results obtained from a selection of analytical techniques to study decorative architectural surfaces introduced during this study-unit; - Correlate data obtained from the application of scientific techniques of analysis with information obtained from the direct study of the specific decorative architectural surface as well as historical and art historical sources; - Explain the relevance of the data obtained from scientific analytical methods and physical/mechanical tests for the conservation of decorative architectural surfaces. 2. Skills By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Use polarising light microscopy to identify pigments, plaster/mortar components found in decorative architectural surfaces; - Use FTIR and Raman spectroscopy to analyze paint and plaster samples from decorative architectural surfaces and elaborate the generated data; - Demonstrate basic skills to interpret the data acquired with the selection of analytical techniques covered during the study unit; - Present the analytical results of the study of decorative architectural surfaces in a coherent and well-structured scientific report. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Essential readings: - Artioli, G. (2010) Scientific Methods and Cultural Heritage. Oxford University Press - Sabbatini, L., Van der Werf, I.D. (2020) Chemical Analysis in Cultural Heritage. De Gruyter - Ul-Hamid, A. A (2018) Beginners' Guide to Scanning Electron Microscopy. Springer - Dyer, J., Verri, G. and Cupitt, J. (2013) Charisma Multispectral Imaging in Reflectance and Photo-Induced Luminescence Modes: A User Manual. The British Museum - Khandekar, N. (2003) Preparation of cross sections form easel paintings. In Reviews in Conservation 4: 52-63 - Plesters J. (1956) Cross Sections and Chemical Analysis of Paint Samples, Studies In Conservation Vol 11 No 3. Further readings: - Garside, P., & Richardson, E. (Eds.). (2021). Conservation Science: Heritage Materials. Royal Society of Chemistry. |
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| ADDITIONAL NOTES | Pre-Requisite Study-unit: BLH5504 | ||||||
| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Practicum | ||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Stefan Laue Marie Camilleri Jan Dariusz Cutajar Matthew Grima Klass Jan Van Den Berg Howard J. Zammit |
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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 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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