A conservator-restorer is a professional responsible for the preservation of artistic and cultural artifacts, also known as cultural heritage.[1] Conservators possess the expertise to preserve cultural heritage in a way that retains the integrity of the object, building or site, including its historical significance, context and aesthetic or visual aspects.[2] This kind of preservation is done by analyzing and assessing the condition of cultural property, understanding processes and evidence of deterioration, planning collections care or site management strategies that prevent damage, carrying out conservation treatments, and conducting research.[3] A conservator's job is to ensure that the objects in a museum's collection are kept in the best possible condition, as well as to serve the museum's mission to bring art before the public.[4]
Conservation and restoration
Essentially, the term "conservation" refers to a manner of care or treatment that repairs damage and also takes action to prevent or slow down further deterioration of an object.[5] The term "restoration" refers to a manner of care or treatment in which the goal is to bring an object back to its original appearance or function.[5] "Restoration" can be part of the care and treatment of an object and is a subset of the umbrella term "conservation".[5] Both terms come into play when it comes to the treatment and care of all cultural heritage.
Responsibilities and duties
Conservators and restorers care for, manage, treat, preserve, and document many different historical items including artifacts, art, and specimens.[6]
- Examining artifacts, both visually and using scientific tools such as x-rays, infrared photography and microscopic analysis to determine the extent and causes of deterioration.[7] Conservation science (sometimes called museum science) aids every aspect of a museum's mission to study its collections, both inside and out of the laboratory.[4]
- Maintaining full conservation records by documenting the condition of an object or site, including any previous restoration work and to outline treatment methods and materials in detail.[7] Documentation ensures the careful recording of treatment procedures and materials so there can be no misunderstanding in the future about what is part of the original work of art and what has been added or altered by the conservator[4]
- Producing a visual record of the object for identification purposes and to illustrate its condition.[7] The examination of the object, treatment proposal, and the actual treatment is documented with written reports and photographs[5]
- Monitoring and recording display and storage conditions with the aim of keeping objects in a stable condition.[7] Preservation is the ult
Essentially, the term "conservation" refers to a manner of care or treatment that repairs damage and also takes action to prevent or slow down further deterioration of an object.[5] The term "restoration" refers to a manner of care or treatment in which the goal is to bring an object back to its original appearance or function.[5] "Restoration" can be part of the care and treatment of an object and is a subset of the umbrella term "conservation".[5] Both terms come into play when it comes to the treatment and care of all cultural heritage.
Responsibilities and duties
Conservators and restorers care for, manage, treat, preserve, and document many different historical items including artifacts, art, and specimens.[6]
- Examining artifacts, both visually and using scientific tools such as x-rays, infrared photography and microscopic analysis to determine the extent and causes of deterioration.[7] Conservation science (sometimes called museum science) aids every aspect of a museum's mission to study its collections, both inside and out of the laboratory.[4]
- Maintaining full conservation records by documenting the condition of an object or site, including any previous restoration work and to outline treatment methods and materials in detail.[7] Documentation ensures the careful recording of treatment procedures and materials so there can be no misunderstanding in the future about what is part of the
Conservators and restorers care for, manage, treat, preserve, and document many different historical items including artifacts, art, and specimens.[6]
- Examining artifacts, both visually and using scientific tools such as x-rays, infrared photography and microscopic analysis to determine the extent and causes of deterioration.[7] Conservation science (sometimes called museum science) aids every aspect of a museum's mission to study its collections, both inside and out of the laboratory.[4]
- Maintaining full conservation records by documenting the condition of an object or site, including any previous restoration work and to outline treatment methods and materials in detail.[7] Documentation ensures the careful recording of treatment procedures and materials so there can be no misunderstanding in the future about what is part of the original work of art and what has been added or altered by the conservator[4]
- Producing a visual record of the object for identification purposes and to illustrate its condition.[3] Some graduate programs may also require internship, volunteer, apprenticeship, or paid conservation experience.[3] Many may also require a personal interview where candidates are asked to present a portfolio of art and conservation project work that demonstrates manual dexterity and familiarity with techniques and materials.[3] Graduate programs generally require two to four years of study, which can also include a full-time internship in the final year where students work under the guidance of experienced conservators.[3] There are also a limited number of Ph.D. programs for advanced study in conservation.[3] Conservation-related programs are described on the websites of the AIC,[8] the National Council for Preservation Education (NCPE),[9] and the Society of American Archivists (SAA).[10]
Post-graduate fellowships
Post-graduate fellowships have also been cited as valuable experiences in their professional development.[3] These fellowships provide intensive research, practice, and exposure to diverse professional staff or significant collections.[3] A few institutions that offer fellowships include the Getty Foundation,[11] the Smithsonian's Museum Conservation Institute,[12] and the Straus Center of Harvard Art Museums.[13]
Continued professional development
The specialty of conservation is ever-changing and evolving, which means that practicing conservators must stay up-to-date of advances in technology and methodology.[3] Conservators usually expand their knowledge through reading publications, attending professional meetings, and enrolling in short-term workshops or courses.[3] AIC offers many workshops, conferences, and online courses and tutorials.[14] Conservation OnLine (CoOL) also offers resources for conservation professionals.[15]
Areas of specialty
Some conservators specialize in a particular material or group of objects, such as archaeology, ceramics and glass, furniture and wood, gilding and decorative surfaces, historic interiors, metals, paintings, paper and books, photographic materials, stained glass, stone and wall paintings, textiles, sculptures, and architecture.[3][7]
- Archaeological conservation
- Architectural conservation
- Books, manuscripts, and documentation conservation
- Ceramic conservation
- Glass conservation
- Historic garden conservation
- Historic Site conservation
- Ivory conservation
- Metal conservation
- Musical instrument conservation
- Painting conservation
- Photograph conservation
- Textile conservation
- Wooden furniture conservation
Ethics
The primary goal for conservators and restorers is the preservation of cultural property. In order to achieve this goal, conservators abide by a code of ethics and guidelines that establish the principles that guide conservation professionals and others who are involved in the care of cultural property. An example of a code of ethics and guidelines for practice were created by the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (AIC).[16] One of the most important principles in a conservator's code of ethics is that treatments should be reversible, which means that one must be able to undo any treatment in the future.[4] Conservators strive to only minimize interventions and not completely alter an object during restoration. Conservation focuses on the material aspects of art, and respect for original materials remains a crucial element of the field's ethics.[4]
Professional organizations
- American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (AIC)
- Art Conservation
- The Australian Institute for the Conservation of Cultural Material (AICCM)
- International Council of Museums – Committee for Conservation(ICOM-CC)
- International Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (ICC)
- Canadian Conservation Institute
- Canadian Association for Conservation (CAC)
- Institute of Conservation (UK)
References
- ^ "About Conservation: What is conservation? What is a conservator?". American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (AIC). www.conservation-us.org. Retrieved 2017-05-29.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Defining the Conservator: Essential Competencies. (2003). Retrieved from http://www.conservation-us.org/docs/default-source/governance/defining-the-conservator-essential-competencies.pdf?sfvrsn=1.
- ^ a b <
Post-graduate fellowships have also been cited as valuable experiences in their professional development.[3] These fellowships provide intensive research, practice, and exposure to diverse professional staff or significant collections.[3] A few institutions that offer fellowships include the Getty Foundation,[11] the Smithsonian's Museum Conservation Institute,[12] and the Straus Center of Harvard Art Museums.[13]
Continued professional development
Some conservators specialize in a particular
Some conservators specialize in a particular material or group of objects, such as archaeology, ceramics and glass, furniture and wood, gilding and decorative surfaces, historic interiors, metals, paintings, paper and books, photographic materials, stained glass, stone and wall paintings, textiles, sculptures, and architecture.[3][7]
- Archaeological conservation
- Architectural conservation
- American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (AIC).[16] One of the most important principles in a conservator's code of ethics is that treatments should be reversible, which means that one must be able to undo any treatment in the future.[4] Conservators strive to only minimize interventions and not completely alter an object during restoration. Conservation focuses on the material aspects of art, and respect for original materials remains a crucial element of the field's ethics.[4]
Professional organizations
- American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (AIC)
- Art Conservation
- The Australian Institute for the Conservation of Cultural Material (AICCM)
- International Council of Museums – Committee for Conservation(ICOM-CC)
- International Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (ICC)
- Canadian Conservation Institute
- Canadian Association for Conservation (CAC)
- Institute of Conservation (UK)
References
