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
Sílvia Oliveira Sequeira
Hours
Weekly - 5
Total - 70
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; a practical component; and a Theoretical-practical component.
To pass the curricular unit it is necessary to have a minimum of 9.5 points in each of the evaluation 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 grade obtained in the Appeal Exam only replaces the grade of the Theoretical Component (T).
The grade obtained in the Practical Component (P) is valid for 2 academic years.
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 two tests during the semester or taking the appeal exam.
The practical component will be evaluated through the quality of the condition assessment report (performed in group) and the performance in practical classes (practical exercises, problem solving ability, assiduity, punctuality, and posture in class).
The theoretical-practical component will assess the quality of the oral presentation and discussion of the report (carried out individually, 10 min. of presentation + 5 min. of discussion), and the quality of participation in class (questions, answers, and comments to the various class themes).
The final grade of the curricular unit is obtained by weighing the three components:
Final Grade = (0.5*T) + (0.30*P) + (0.20*TP)
- Theoretical component (T): 50% - Test 1 (25%) + Test 2 (25%) - a minimum score of 7.5 in the 1st test is required to have access to the 2nd test, or exam (50%)
- Practical component (P): 30% - Condition assessment report (20%); performance in the practical classes (10%)
- Theoretical-practical component (TP): 20% - Oral presentation and discussion (15%); participation in class (5%).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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: different categories of graphic documents.
1.2. Main materials used as documents'' supports:
1.2.1. From papyrus to parchment.
1.2.2. Paper and its historical evolution.
1.3. Materials used to record graphic information (media) from a historical perspective.
1.4. The production of the codex/book: terminology and identification of the different parts that compose a book.
2. Main deterioration factors and mechanisms for graphic documents and means for their control
2.1. Deterioration causes of single documents.
2.2. Deterioration causes of sewn books.
2.3. Preventive conservation techniques.
3. Condition assessment: study and analysis of case studies.
3.1. Application of different examination and analysis techniques.
3.2. Methods of recording, nomenclature and techniques for mapping damages.
3.3. Material characterization and condition assessment of case studies.