Study Guide

Objective

The student is familiar with both historical and modern (synthetic) conservation materials and conservation techniques for paintings painted on canvas, the history of their use as well as the good and bad effects of these methods and materials, used on the object from the point of view of conservation and preservation.
The student is able to evaluate the suitability of conservation materials and methods for different types of paintings.
The student understands the disadvantages and benefits of the chosen materials and techniques in different conservation situations and is able to make choices based on ethical and aesthetic requirements in different situations.
The student knows the materials used in the structural conservation of paintings and their behavior in different conditions and knows from where and how the materials are obtained.
The student is able to independently use and apply various traditional and modern conservation materials, techniques, tools and equipment for paintings, painted on canvas so that the end-result is both ethically and aesthetically acceptable.
Competencies: conservation skills, material analysis skills, teamwork skills

Content

Traditional and modern conservation methods and materials for art painted on canvas. Natural materials for conservation, used in modern techniques.
The most basic materials and techniques in the history of conservation of paintings on fabric support.
Written documentation of paintings painted on canvas, damage mapping and basic documentation of object´s materials, using various imaging techniques and analysis methods. Identification of textile fibers and preparation of cross-sections of paint layers, microscopy of fibers and paint cross-sections.
Materials, equipment and techniques for fixing and consolidating ground and paint layers.
Suction techniques used in the conservation of canvas paintings (suction table, mini suction table, vacuum envelope), moisture treatments, tear mending and intarsia techniques, tear reinforcement techniques and materials.

Location and time

autumn term 2022. Hämeentie 135 D, Conservation studies department

Teaching methods

Contact teaching
Lectures
Guided assignments and guided practical conservation
Problem-based teaching and learning
Tear-mending workshop
Independent work
Independent work with literature
Independent information search, using internet

Employer connections

Objects for conservation are obtained through working life contacts

Exam schedules

written exam at the end of the course

International connections

Visiting lecturers from Köln, ERASMUS collaboration. Exchange students

Completion alternatives

none

Student workload

The weekly working hours of a student is 1,5 cr, which is equivalent to 40 hours of studies and independent work. 40 hours is formed from approx. 20- 22 hours of contact studies with a lecturer. The remaining hours are dedicated for independent literature survey or independent practical work. 1 credit (cr) is equivalent to 26 study / practical work hours (h).

Content scheduling

Week 45 Petra Demuth and Hannah Flock: Tear mending WS. ERASMUS collaboration

Further information

Lectures are given in english, guidance for practical work according to students´own language (finnish or english)

Evaluation scale

0-5

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

The student is able to outline the basic concepts of structural conservation of paintings on canvas support, knows at a basic level the basics of related theory, documentation and materials analysis, materials and working methods. The student masters the basics of the course and understands the main content of the course. The student understands the necessary theoretical and applied principles related to the topic. At the basic level, the student is able to acquire information independently. The student has difficulties in interpreting the acquired information and knowledge and selecting suitable working methods and materials. The student has difficulty justifying the choices made. Practical work is not independent enough and there are shortcomings in the end-result.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

The student has a good understanding of the basic ideas and concepts of structural conservation of paintings on canvas support, is well acquainted with the basics of related theory, documentation and materials analysis, materials and working methods. The student demonstrates a good theoretical and applied knowledge related to materials and working methods. The student is able to justify the choices he / she has made expertly, and the application in practice proceeds consistently in accordance with the practices of the professional field. The student masters the whole in both theory and practice and has achieved a good level of knowledge and practical working skills. The work has been sufficiently independent. The student is able to acquire information independently and is able to critically analyse this information, but there are small shortcomings in the interpretation of the acquired information and in the justification of one's own choices.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

The student has an excellent command of the many different aspects of structural conservation of paintings on canvas support. The student is well acquainted with the basics of related theory, documentation and materials analysis, materials and working methods, and has achieved an excellent level of knowledge and skills. The student demonstrates an excellent theoretical and applied knowledge related to the materials and working methods used in the conservation of paintings on canvas support and is able to apply what he / she has learned well. The student is able to work extensively independently on both written and skill-based assignments. The student is able to acquire information independently and to analyse and apply this information. The student participates in the discussion with arguments using the concepts of the field. The student is able to justify the choices he / she has made expertly, and the application in practice proceeds consistently in accordance with the practices of the professional field. The student works consistently, showing initiative and creative problem-solving ability and is able to clearly justify the choices made.

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

The student is able to outline the basic concepts of structural conservation of paintings on canvas support, knows at a basic level the basics of related theory, documentation and materials analysis, materials and working methods. The student masters the basics of the course and understands the main content of the course. The student understands the necessary theoretical and applied principles related to the topic. At the basic level, the student is able to acquire information independently. The student has difficulties in interpreting the acquired information and knowledge and selecting suitable working methods and materials. The student has difficulty justifying the choices made. Practical work is not independent enough and there are shortcomings in the end-result.

Assessment methods and criteria

Participation at the course
Continuous evaluation
Practical work both independently and within the group
Written work, based on literature assignment
Exam