Međunarodna konferencija studija konzervacije-restauracije

Mosaics in Diocletian’s Palace: Preservation in situ

Authors: Jelena Petričević, Nikolina Lovrić and Zrinka Vukorepa
Mentor: Krešimir Bosnić, Lecturer; Nikola Radošević, Lecturer

Arts Academy in Split (Croatia)
Study programme: Integrated undergraduate and graduate course of study in conservation-restoration
Specialization: Mosaics and wall paintings (3rd year of study)

Abstract

The poster presents a brief summary of a arheological investigations and conservation restoration treatments of a floor mosaics in the historic core of Split. The mosaics in question are dated to the 3rd century AD. It is believed that they were made by the Salona workshop which was particularly active around that time. The mosaics are periodically restored, but being located outdoors and without a protective covering, they are susceptible to all sorts of damage. Since their discovery to date a significant part of the mosaics has vanished due to inadequate care.

Click here to view the poster. (PDF // 1.23 MB)

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Dušan Džamonja Sculpture Park in Vrsar, Istra

Authors: Karmen Milić* and Benedikta Vilenica**
Mentors: *Filip Rogošić, Senior Lecturer; **Alem Korkut, Associate Professor

*Arts Academy in Split (Croatia); **Academy of Fine Arts, Zagreb (Croatia)
Study programme: *Integrated undergraduate and graduate course of study in conservation-restoration; **Integrated undergraduate and graduate course of study in conservation-restoration of works of art
Specialization: *Metal (4th year of study); **Paintings (3rd year of study)

Abstract

Dušan Džamonja sculpture park was founded by the artist  himself in 1960s and was opened for public in 1981. The sculpture park is located near Vrsar, Istra. The idea was to provide a place for artists to live, create and exhibit their work. It turned out to be a convenient solution to the problem of finding a place for display of Džamonja's large sculptures, as well. In 1997 Džamonja donated the sculptures to the Republic of Croatia and Vrsar Municipality. The sculpture park has been listed in the national  register of cultural monuments.

The purpose of the poster is to draw attention to the negligence of governing structures. The park is managed by the museum of Poreč and environs, but insufficient financial support and lack of interest in upgrading the conditions of the park make it difficult to maintain it. Some sculptures are in need of restoration, and the whole park needs a development plan regarding the security issues, conservation discipline and advertising strategy. The authors also examine the case studies of selected sculptures which illustrate the problems that affect them all.

Click here to view the poster. (PDF // 898.01 KB)

Read more: Dušan Džamonja Sculpture Park in Vrsar, Istra

Restoration of the Town Gate at Kaštel Kambelovac

Author: Josip Nižetić
Mentor: Ivo Donelli, Professor

Arts Academy in Split (Croatia)
Study programme: Integrated undergraduate and graduate course of study in conservation-restoration
Specialization: Stone (4th year of study)

Abstract

The poster is about stone town gate at Kaštel Kambelovac, which is currently undergoing restoration. It describes the disassembling, restoring and the making of copies of its stone elements. The main parts of the gate are a horizontal beam, the crest and the plate with inscription. The restoration of the horizontal beam is the most demanding part of the project. The crest and the plate with inscription have many cracks and flaws. After chemical analysis and a lot of research, the conservators have found solutions to all problems. Now, the works are at the final stage.

Click here to view the poster. (PDF // 139.68 KB)

Read more: Restoration of the Town Gate at Kaštel Kambelovac

12th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF CONSERVATION-RESTORATION STUDIES, SPLIT 2015

Below you will find posters (in PDF format) that were presented at the 12th International Conference of Conservation-Restoration Studies.

Preliminary research methodology of the historical firearms; conservation of the arquebus with wheellock (17th or 18th Ct.) from the collection of the National Museum in Cracow

Author: Renata Karska
Mentor: Professor Grażyna Korpal

Jan Matejko Academy of Fine Arts, Cracow (Poland)
Study programme: Conservation and Restoration of Works of Art
Specialization: Metal (2nd year of PhD)

Abstract

Conservation and restoration of the historical firearms are characterized by individual and comprehensive approach to the historical substance. This is due to the specific design of weapons, the technical complexity of the construction of mechanisms, production technology and the multitude of used materials. As a part of conservation work there was made an attempt to develop a preliminary research methodology of historical black powder guns. The issue was discussed on the example of historic preservation process of: Arquebus with wheellock from the collection of National Museum in Cracow done within the diploma thesis on Academy of Fine Arts in Krakow. The study included: documentary images in visible light, infrared light and UV luminescence, microscope examinations. Another study focused on the analysis of the metal elements. There were made attempts to determine the quantitative and qualitative carbon content. The metal element were also examined using X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. There was also conducted hardness tests, endoscope observation, X-rays photography and computed tomography scan. It was necessary also to perform microbiological tests of wood. Performed conservation and restoration procedures have restored weapons aesthetic and historic value.

Click here to view the poster. (PDF // 1.72 MB) 

Read more: Preliminary research methodology of the historical firearms; conservation of the arquebus with...

Conservation-restoration of a 19th Ct. pistol, type kubura ledenica (ice pistol)

Author: Stela Korda
Mentor: Expert Associate Renata Andjus

University of Dubrovnik, Department of Art and Restoration (Croatia)
Study programme: Conservation and Restoration
Specialization: Metal (2nd year of the Master's programme)

Abstract

This poster details the steps involved in the restoration and conservation of a 19th century pistol, type kubura ledenica. "Ice pistols" or ledenice are flintlock guns that appeared in the Balkan region since the 17th century. They were lavishly decorated and covered with silver. It was an integral part of the male folk costume until the mid 20th century and worn on special occasions.
This ice pistol that was restored and conserved was recieved in good condition. The silver parts of the gun oxidized and darkened with time. Iron–made firing mechanism and gun barrel were covered with rust. The pistol was disassembled and all of the parts were cleaned and conserved with chemical and mechanical processes. Main spring of the mechanism was found detached and had to be welded back in place. Finally, the iron elements were lacquered and silver polished.

Click here to view the poster. (PDF // 1.81 MB) 

Read more: Conservation-restoration of a 19th Ct. pistol, type kubura ledenica (ice pistol)

The conservation of two polychrome sculptures, St. Mary Magdalen and St. Margaret, from Samobor Museum, with the overview of chronological layers

Authors: Melita Kurtić and Paula Bule
Mentor: Associate Professor Andrej Aranicki, MA

Academy of Fine Arts, Zagreb (Croatia)
Study programme: Conservation and Restoration of Works of Art
Specialization: Sculpture (5th year of study)

Abstract

The wooden polychromed sculptures of St. Mary Magdalen and St. Margaret date from the 17th century and are held at the Museum of Samobor (Zagreb County). They are a product of the workshop of the sculptor Ivan Komersteiner, born in Germany. The sculptures were brought for conservation treatment to the Department of Conservation and Restoration of the Academy  of Fine Art in Zagreb in the summer of 2012. The treatment included the following steps: preventive undergluing of the polychromy, consolidation of the wooden support, analysis of the micro samples of the polichromy, removal of surface dirt.The stratigraphic analysis of the samples of the paint layers and the test probing confirmed that the polychromy was overgilded and oversilvered in the same order and manner as it was in the first chronological layer. This was confirmed by the chemical analysis of all layers, using X-ray fluorescence (XRF), a portable spectrometer designed by professor Vladan Desnica. Based on the results of the analysis, it has been decided that the scheme applied  over the original one, will not be removed.

 Click here to view the poster. (PDF // 598.34 KB) 

Read more: The conservation of two polychrome sculptures, St. Mary Magdalen and St. Margaret, from Samobor...

Pair of angels candle holders

Author: Dunja Rapaić
Mentor: Associate Professor Andrej Aranicki, MA 

Academy of Fine Arts, Zagreb (Croatia) 
Study programme: Conservation and Restoration of Works of Art 
Specialization: Sculpture (4th year of study)

Abstract

In October 2014, a pair of candle holders with angels arrived in the Department of Conservation and Restoration of the Academy of Fine Arts in Zagreb, Croatia , in a very poor condition. The angels were brought from the sacristy of Saint George the Martyr in Lešće na Dobri, Karlovac County, Croatia, which falls under the responsibility of the Conservation Department in Karlovac.  The mentor, Assoc. Professor Andrej Aranicki, and Tanja Horvatić, the art historian and senior consultant-conservator from Karlovac, agreed that the objects should be treated using the so called “galleristic” approach. Katarzyna Bizon (a student from Poland involved with the Erasmus programme) and myself carried out the conservation works on the angels. Katarzyna worked on them in the winter semester of the current academic year, and when she left for home, I continued work on both angels.

Click here to view the poster. (PDF // 615.46 KB) 

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To conserve or to restore: finding the balance

Author: Leda Halambek
Mentors: Teaching Assistant Ana Božičević and Associate Professor Andrej Aranicki

Academy of Fine Arts, Zagreb (Croatia)
Study programme: Conservation and Restoration of Works of Art
Specialization: Sculpture (4th year of study)

Abstract

The poster shows the issues which the conservator-restorer faces in everyday work, and refers to the question of the final presentation of the work of art, in this case a sculpture. Through several different examples the question of balance between conserving and restoring is attempted to be answered, and emphasizes the importance of context when deciding on the scope of the works required. Each work of art requires an individual approach, critical assessment, valuation and general context. In other words, there are many factors that affect the final decision making and each of them needs to be thought over. The task of the conservator-restorer is to firstly look at the complete history of the art piece and if possible to perceive its original function and appearance from any subsequent modifications. Priorities have to be set: before asking HOW to conserve-restore it is needed to ask WHAT to conserve-restore and FOR WHO? Interdisciplinary approach, expert discussions and education should be an integral part of contemporary conservation-restoration profession, so the works carried out can be of greater quality and in accordance with the principles and ethics of conservation and restoration.

 Click here to view the poster. (PDF // 650.76 KB)

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The marble statue of the Emperor Augustus from Nin

Author: Helena Ugrina, MA
Mentor: Assistant Professor Siniša Bizjak

Arts Academy in Split (Croatia)
Study programme: Integrated undergraduate and graduate course of study in conservation-restoration
Specialization: Stone (studies completed)

Abstract

This poster displays the conservation - restoration works on Roman marble statue (1st century) showing the posthumous Emperor Augustus. It represents just a part of the group of statues discovered during the 18th century archeological excavations in Nin. The statue belonged to the Danielli historical collection, called after it's founder dr. Danielli Tomasini who assembled the largest and most valuable collection of antiquities in Dalmatia, in the first half of the 18th century. In 1882, the collection came into possession of the seminary in Udine and later on they sold out the entire collection in an auction all over the Europe. In 1928 they were returned to Zadar.
Besides mechanical cleaning of the statue, the main challenge of the project was to ensure stability of the statue because it was surrounded with scaffolding in the lobby of the museum. Since instruments (like Cobalt 60) were not availble, the conservation and restoration staff of the Arts Academy decided to drill holes through the length of the brass fixings, and measure their depth using an endoscope camera. Stability is finally proven and statue of Emperor Augustus now stands freely in the newly opened antique department in the Archaeological Museum in Zadar.

Click here to view the poster. (PDF // 1.76 MB)

Read more: The marble statue of the Emperor Augustus from Nin

Conservation-restoration treatment on the painting Landscape with Lake

Author: Ena Đelmo
Mentor: Associate Professor Lucija Močnik Ramovš

Academy of Fine Arts and Design, Ljubljana (Slovenia)
Study programme: Conservation and Restoration of Works of Art 
Specialization: Easel paintings and polychrome objects (1st year of the Master's programme)

Abstract

The conservation-restoration treatment of the painting Landscape with a Lake started in December 2013. The painting (56.01 cm × 91.5 cm) was made in 1918 (signature marking) by an unknown artist using the technique of oil on canvas. The painting was in a very bad condition, obviously due to inappropriate storage and handling. The painting was deformed. It had tears and many lumps and dents caused by mechanical impact. Since the canvas had gone slack, the lines of the inner edges of the stretcher bars were clearly discernible on its surface. The main goal of conservation-restoration treatment was to remove the causes of the painting’s decay (surface dirt), stabilize its overall condition, reinforce the canvas and the paint layers and improve the readability of the scene. Because of a previous conservation treatment, the emphasis was placed on the compatibility of materials.

Click here to view the poster. (PDF // 804.59 KB)

Read more: Conservation-restoration treatment on the painting Landscape with Lake

Reverse painting on glass from the National Museum of Slovenia collection: issues and proposed conservation-restoration solutions

Author: Nadja Šičarov
Mentors: Associate Professor Tamara Trček Pečak, MA, and Assistant Professor Blaž Šeme, PhD
Fieldwork mentor: Gorazd Lemajič, MA (National Museum of Slovenia)

Academy of Fine Arts and Design, Ljubljana (Slovenia)
Study programme: Conservation and Restoration of Works of Art
Specialization: Paintings and polychrome sculptures (1st year of the Master's programme)

Abstract

The paper is an abridged version of my undergraduate thesis, which was submitted to the Academy of Fine Arts and Design of the University of Ljubljana in June 2014. The thesis presents the problems I faced in attempting to conserve and restore the reverse painting on glass The Adoration of the Magi held by the National Museum of Slovenia. I begin by detailing the history and technique of The Adoration of the Magi before describing its blistered paint and other damage. Two ethically acceptable choices of conservation and restoration of the piece are discussed next: one is its full conservation-restoration, the other, only its preventive conservation. After deciding for the former, multiple trial attempts at cleaning the painting and consolidating its paint with different adhesives proved unsuccessful because they only partially removed the blistering. Since the use of adhesive would not have cleared the blisters and would therefore have caused unnecessary damage, I instead decided to create a case capable of securely storing the fractured painting. I also propose climate conditions under this painting, and others like it, can be stored.

Click here to view the poster. (PDF // 528.39 KB)

Read more: Reverse painting on glass from the National Museum of Slovenia collection: issues and proposed...

XRF scanning as the perfect way of investigating well preserved objects

Author: Karol Brzozowski
Mentors: Associate Professor Małgorzata Walczak, PhD, Professor Grażyna Korpal, Michał Plotek, MA

Jan Matejko Academy of Fine Arts, Cracow (Poland)
Study programme: Conservation and Restoration of Works of Art
Specialization: Paintings (5th year of study)

Abstract

The poster describes how X-ray Fluorescence Scanner works, and presents the results of an investigation carried out by means of this useful device. The object studied was a XVI-century (?) copy after Andrea del Sarto, depicting Madonna and Child with St. John the Baptist and the Saints (oil on wood). The painting was also the author’s graduation (Master degree) project. A good state of preservation of the paint layer was an important argument for investigating it, in the first step, by an XRF Scanner, as this method is at the same time effective and non-invasive. The device, which serves to detect elements contained in an object, is able to create a map of elements’ distribution throughout the object, with the resolution under 1 millimetre. The results appeared to be extremely useful in the interpretation of the pigments used and the painter’s technique. Moreover, extensive retouches and overpaintings were revealed.  (Further research, however, may be necessary to check some doubts.) The XRF scanning proved to be a perfect method to start an investigation with. The potentially invasive removing of samples from the object, which is to follow, will be done with a much greater responsibly, as we will know precisely what kind of information we are looking for.

Click here to view the poster. (PDF // 1.85 MB)

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XRF macro scanning as a first step of non-invasive investigation of the works of art

Author: Katarzyna Bizon
Mentors: Associate Professor Małgorzata Walczak, PhD, Michał Płotek, MA, and Associate Professor Jarosław Adamowicz, PhD

Jan Matejko Academy of Fine Arts, Cracow (Poland)
Study programme: Conservation and Restoration of Works of Art
Specialization: Paintings (5th year of study)

Abstract

The poster focuses on the presentation of the non-invasive examination of objects by Macro Scanner XRF and interpretation of the gathered results. The studied object is a panel painting An Old Testament Scene by Jacob Willemszoon de Wet, a Dutch painter from the XVII century. It is also the graduation work of the author of the poster. The investigation was carried out as the first step in the research and it was very helpful for the revealing of the now invisible parts of the composition. The Biblical scene painted by the Dutch painter is dark and shows signs  of overcleaning. This is especially true of the background, which is hardly recognizable under dark, opaque and partially overcleaned varnish layers. The poster presents the conclusions reached after the examination of the painting by XRF, but before any invasive research being taken, which is needed to receive full information about the work. 

Click here to view the poster. (PDF // 2.05 MB)

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Amphorae, then and now

Author: Francis Dragičević
Mentor: Lecturer Miona Miliša, PhD

Arts Academy in Split (Croatia)
Study programme: Integrated undergraduate and graduate course of study in conservation-restoration
Specialization: Archaeological heritage (4th year of study)

Abstract

In ancient times amphorae were in daily use. They were mainly containers used for the storage and transport of oil, wine, dried fruit... This is why they were produced in vast numbers. Most of them are similar in shape. Some of them are, however, different, and this difference in shape is due to the type of product they were intended for. The eastern side of the Adriatic Sea was a busy maritime route and many cargo ships ended their journey at its bottom. So far, Croatian coastal waters have yielded as many as 44 recorded archaeological sites containing amphorae of the older and younger Greco-Italic types. The vast number of the finds has led to the conclusion that part of them have been produced locally. In some cases the stoppers, which usually contain the mark of the workshop in which the amphora was produced, have survived. The big problem of these sites are insufficient resources for their protection. Therefore, the easy access and inadequate protection against plunder are the main reason of their vulnerability. The desire to possess something unique has led to the development of an important black market, so much so that of 30,000 stolen objects recorded by the Ministry of Culture, amphorae represent the largest group. Many of them were illicitly taken from the sea and sold, and now need serious conservation treatment, without which they will perish.

Click here to view the poster. (PDF // 1.36 MB)

Read more: Amphorae, then and now

Jakovlje Mansion and Sculpture Park, Croatia

Authors: Eni Jukopila and Martina Lochert
Mentor: Assistant Professor Alen Novoselec, MA

Academy of Fine Arts, Zagreb (Croatia)
Study programme: Conservation and Restoration of Works of Art
Specialization: Sculpture (4th and 5th year of study)

Abstract

The conservation and restoration project of Jakovlje mansion and sculpture park was conceived as practical training for students of the 3rd, 4th and 5th years of study, under the mentorship of professor Alen Novoselec. Jakovlje mansion and its sculpture park are situated beneath the northern slopes of the Croatian Mount Medvednica, in the settlement and municipality of the same name. The Mansion was built in three phases, from the 16th century to after the earthquake in 1880, when it  was renovated and redesigned in the Historicist style. The conservation-restoration works were initiated primarily to prevent further deterioration of the complex. The Renovation project included the reconstruction of the mansion’s north wing, the renovation of the wooden joinery, the conservation-restoration of the architectural plastic and decoration and the renovation of the Sculpture Park. The poster presents the investigative works and the conservation-restoration works preformed so far on the mansion’s architectural stuccowork and decoration, as well as on two sculptures in Jakovlje Sculpture Park.

 Click here to view the poster. (PDF // 4.83 MB)

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The conservation-restoration of the wall painting "Life, suffering and struggle of the people in the birthplace of President Josip Broz Tito from the Middle Ages to the World War II" by Raoul Goldoni at the Museum of Yugoslav History

Authors: Aleksandar Ćulibrk, Ana-Marija Spasenović, Mila Vranješ and Dragana Vicentijević 
Mentor: Professor Radomir Samardžić, MA

Faculty of Applied Arts, Belgrade (Serbia)
Study programme: Conservation and restoration
Specialization: Wall paintings and mosaics (one-year Master's programme)

Abstract

This poster presents the conservation-restoration of the 1963 wall painting by Raul Goldoni entitled Life, Suffering and Struggle of the people in President Josip Broz Tito’s Homeland, From the Middle Ages Till the Second World War. The painting is located in the first floor lobby of the Museum of Yugoslav History, measuring 14.6 m x 4.4 m, and occupying a surface of 64,24 m2. During the October Salon exhibition in 1996, the painting was covered with a canvas panel which was placed on a wooden frame. At the beginning of 2011 the panel was removed. After completing the conservation-restoration project for the wall painting, as the result of cooperation between the Institute for Protection of Cultural Monuments and the Faculty of Applied Arts, Department of Conservation and Restoration, conservation-restoration works took place. Based on the research works, it was concluded that the painting was in an extremely poor condition. Present works on this wall painting implies a complete conservation and restoration treatment.

Click here to view the poster. (PDF // 3.07 MB)

Read more: The conservation-restoration of the wall painting "Life, suffering and struggle of the people in...

The letter in a bottle

Authors: Nikolina Cvitanović and Marin Vokić
Mentor: Expert Associate Sanja Serhatlić

University of Dubrovnik, Department of Art and Restoration
Study programme: Conservation and Restoration
Specialization: Paper (1st year of the Master's programme)

Abstract

The poster talks about the process of restoration of two letters found inside a wall of Saint Mark’s Cathedral on the island of Korčula which have been there sealed inside a bottle and built in a wall for over a hundred years. Some history of the letters themselves is given as well as what is written on them to show that objects which we get to restore sometimes have a pretty interesting and big history behind them. The accent of the poster is put on the story behind the letters and the state before, during and after restoration process.

Click here to view the poster. (PDF // 404.8 KB)

Read more: The letter in a bottle

11th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE CONSERVATION-RESTORATION STUDIES, ZAGREB 2014

Below you will find posters (in PDF format) that were presented at the 11th International Conference of the Conservation-Restoration Studies.

Interpretation of pattern on chasuble inv. no. 5A

Author: Petar Nevžala 
Mentor: Danijela Jemo, Teaching Assistant; Mateo Miguel K. Kesovia, Teaching Assistant

University of Dubrovnik, Art and Restoration Department (Croatia)
Undergraduate Programme in Conservation-Restoration (BA)
Specialization: Conservation-restoration of textile, 3rd study year

Summary
Chasuble is part of a set of liturgical vestments from the church of St. Mary on Lokrum. Poster was created as a result of the first stage of preventive conservation and it is about interpretation of pattern on chasuble inv. no. 5A. It was analyzed the historical context of appearance of similar patterns, the impact of waveing technology on the quality of design and it was made iconographical and iconological interpretation. Comparing with similar examples it is given conclusion how such an analysis can be helpful in the dating of objects and determining its historical and artistic value.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE POSTER IN PDF.

Read more: Interpretation of pattern on chasuble inv. no. 5A