This course will focus on the basic principles of chemical sciences that underlie modern chemical and material technologies for the understanding of degradation and the design of conservative materials for works of art.
Topics:
A work of art from a chemical-physical point of view; consolidation; consolidants; detergency; cleaning systems; confining cleaning systems in macromolecular scaffolds; selected examples of gels as scaffolds; case studies
Handout and bibliographic material proposed by the teachers
Learning Objectives
Knowledge and Understanding: the course aims to train students on the chemical principles underlying the processes of degradation of works of art and modern techniques and materials used for their preservation.
Learning skills: Through the presentation of the different chemical-physical processes and various real examples, the methodologies underlying the most modern restoration techniques will be provided.
Critical thinking: critical capacity in the analysis of the degradation process and the most suitable techniques for its prevention and restoration.
Communication: ability to communicate with appropriate vocabulary the skills acquired during the course.
Prerequisites
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Teaching Methods
Lectures and laboratory training
Further information
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Type of Assessment
Oral test in order verify the knowledge, the autonomy of judgment.
Course program
Aims: This course will focus on the basic principles of chemical sciences that underlie modern chemical and material technologies for the understanding of degradation and the design of conservative materials for works of art; building on this basic knowledge, the students will apply such principles to solve some selected issues related to conservation science, which can be promptly translated to a broad range of challenges in academic and non-academic fields.
Lectures:
• What is a work of art from a chemical-physical point of view; Degradation and conservation of works of art; Principles of surface chemistry.
• Consolidation: synthesis and application of nanoparticles for the consolidation of works of art.
• self-assembly and soft matter related to cultural artifacts and materials for conservation.
• Detergency.
• Advanced systems for conservation; Cleaning systems:
Micelles, microemulsion and more complex fluids;
• Confining cleaning systems in macromolecular scaffolds: Gels; Gel Definition and Gel Classes (physical and chemical gels); Hydrogels and Organogels; Gels Advanced Architectures
(e.g. SIPN)
• Selected Examples of Gels as Scaffolds: pHEMA and PVA based hydrogels
• Confining a complex system (micelle, microemulsion, etc.) into a gel to boost activity and fine control of the confined system. Case studies: cleaning of Leonardo da Vinci, Pollock, Picasso, De Chirico, etc.
Laboratory practice