Fundamentals of Paper Conservation
Objectives
In this course it is intended that the student acquires a horizontal knowledge about the nature of graphic documents and causes of deterioration, so as to perform the diagnosis of pathologies of the document heritage. In that context, the main objectives are:
1. Develop theoretical and practical knowledge for the identification and characterization of art on paper and archival/library materials, as well as, understand its historical evolution.
2. Study and comprehend the main deterioration processes and causes of alteration of paper based materials.
3. Learn how to do a survey and a pathologies diagnosis for these kinds of documents.
4. Introduction to preventive conservation decisions and techniques.
5. Hands-on working experience by the application of the methods learned to case studies.
General characterization
Code
2680
Credits
6.0
Responsible teacher
Ana Catarina Machado Monteiro Ferreira Gonçalves, Sílvia Oliveira Sequeira
Hours
Weekly - 5
Total - 56
Teaching language
Português
Prerequisites
Available soon
Bibliography
ROBERTS, J.C., -“The Chemist of Paper”, The Royal Society of Chemistry, Cambridge, 1996.
STRILIC, M. K., Ageing and stabilisation of paper. Ljubljana: National and University Library, 2005.
IVESSALO – P., Fiber Atlas: Identification of Papermaking Fibres, Springer, 1995.
MOST, P. et al, Archives Damage Atlas - A tool for assessing damage, The Hague: Metamorfoze, 2010.
Ash, N. , Homolka, S. , Lussier, S. et al, Descriptive Terminology for Works of Art on Paper, ed. Renée Wolcott, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia, USA, 2014.
Teaching method
Practical and Theoretical presentations, studio-based work and observation and evalutaion of different case-studies, as well as full diagnosis of a specific case study
Evaluation method
The curricular unit Diagnosis and Conservation of Graphic Documents includes 3 evaluation components: a theoretical component (T, test or exam); a practical component (P, condition assessment report, lab notebook and performance in the class); and a Theoretical-practical component (TP, presentation and discussion of the report, active participation in the classes).
To pass the curricular unit it is necessary to have a minimum of 9.5 points in each of the assessment components. Each component is evaluated on a scale of 0 to 20.
This class has a frequency, that is, a set of conditions to be satisfied by the student to have access to the exam: the student will have access to the exam as long as he/she does not miss more than 1/3 of the practical classes; the student will automatically fail the practical component if he/she misses more than 1/3 of the practical classes.
The theoretical component intends to evaluate the knowledge acquired by the students on the composition and degradation mechanisms of graphic documents. This evaluation component may be achieved by taking a test during the semester or an exam at the end of the class period.
The practical component will be evaluated through the quality of the condition assessment report and the performance in practical classes.
Finally, the Theoretical-practical component intends to evaluate the quality of the report’s oral presentation and discussion, the active participation in classes through answers to questions, and the quality of their comments on various discussion subjects.
Factors such as the ability to solve problems, attendance and punctuality will also be evaluated continuously throughout the semester and in all three components.
The final grade of the curricular unit is obtained by weighing the three components:
Final Grade = (0.4*T) + (0.35*P) + (0.25*TP)
- Theoretical component (T): 40% - Test or exam
- Practical component (P): 35% - Condition assessment report (30%); lab notebook, handling and workspace (5%)
- Theoretical-practical component (TP): 25% - Oral presentation and discussion (15%); participation in class (10%).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BE AWARE: In any evaluation moment, students must also take into consideration the provisions of nº3 of article 10º of the ''''Evaluation Rules of FCT NOVA'''', “When fraud or plagiarism is proven in any of the evaluation elements of a UC, students directly involved are outright disapproved at UC, (…). ”
Subject matter
1. Intangible and material characterization of Graphic Documents
1.1.Main concepts involving the graphic document and the importance of a common terminology: graphic documents characterization.
1.2. Main materials used as writting supports
1.2.1. From papyrus to parchment.
1.2.2. Paper and its historical evolution.
1.3. Medium materials used in a historical perspective.
1.4. The production of the codex / book: terminology and book construction.
2. Main causes of deterioration of graphic documents and means for its control
2.1. Deterioration causes of single documents.
2.2. Deterioration causes of sewn books.
2.3. Preventive conservation techniques and brief introduction to the intervention methods.
3. Diagnosis and conservation condition: study and analysis of case studies.
3.1. Systematic review of the ''''''''major syndromes'''''''' / nuclear pathologies that can affect the graphic documents.
3.2. Material characterization of the case studies.
3.3. Aplication of examination and analysis techniques.
3.4. Pathology mapping exercise.
3.5. Impact study of the nuclear pathologies on the different types of Graphic Document: considering changes in value / significance of the case studies.