Short description
Deals with the history of conservation and restoration of works of art. This work provides readers with contextualising introductions, extensive bibliography of original sources and archival material and a glossary of terms as well as biographical details.
Long description
Conservation and Restoration form an integral part of History of Art Degrees, just as the more abstract, historical and conceptual aspects of Conservation are part and parcel of the training of the practising restorer. English speaking countries lag far behind, mainly because of a lack of foreign language skills, so students of Conservation are unable to consult or use historic documentation. As a result, developments in the field have been very one-sidedly analytical and scientific. There is growing interest in having access to such works both in the public and academic sector. In addition, recent publications on contemporary approaches to conservation indicate that there is a great need for people writing on the subject to be aware of material which is not in their mother tongue. The danger is that approaches may be presented as new, but in fact are merely contemporary and were already in existence, discussed or practiced in other centuries as well as other countries. Alessandro Contis book, is remarkable for the detail and breadth of its source material.;It would be an invaluable tool to all training establishments and galleries as well as providing an interdisciplinary entry into Art History, as the appearance of a work cannot be separated from its conservation and restoration history. It is the only book in English dealing with the history of conservation and restoration of works of art. It is translated by a practising restorer who has lectured widely on the subject to professional and student audiences, as well as the general public. It provides readers with contextualising introductions, extensive bibliography of original sources and archival material and a glossary of terms as well as biographical details.