Workshop, Croatian Conservation Institute / Ludbreg Conservation Centre 27th-29th May 2013
A workshop titled Inorganic Materials in Wall Paintings Conservation was organized by the Croatian Conservation Institute in cooperation with the Zagreb Academy of Fine Arts. It was held at the Ludbreg Conservation Centre from 27th to 29th May 2013.
The workshop aimed at providing participants with a detailed insight into the application, theoretical background and historical development of a new method of consolidating the porous structure of wall paintings. The method that has been developed in the last decade is based on using nano-particles of calcium-hydroxide obtained by solution in isopropyl alcohol. It is precisely the use of inorganic materials that makes the conservation of wall paintings harmless, compatible with the original materials and longer-lasting.
The programe included theoretical lectures and workshop practice. During the first two days, two Italian experts Dr. Emiliano Carretti (University of Florence, Chemistry Department) and Maria Rosa Lanfranchi (Opificio delle Pietre Dure, Florence) presented, in a series of lectures, the development of the method, laboratory investigations, the features and the application of nano-particles of calcium-hydroxide in the conservation of wall paintings. The practical part featured a demonstration of the application of the method of consolidating with nano-particles of calcium-hydroxide and trials to assess the condition of the surface of wall paintings. On the third day, the Slovenian colleagues Martina Lesar Kikelj MA, Dr. Marta Bensa, Ajda Mladenović (Institute for the Protection of Cultural Heritage of Slovenia), Dr. Sabina Kramar, Dr. Andrijana Sever Škapin, Dr. Alenka Mauko (Building and Civil Engineering Institute) and Katarina Žagar (Restoration and Artistic Creation) presented their experiences in using nano-technology in the conservation of wall paintings.
Theoretical lectures were held at the Ludbreg Conservation Centre, while the practical part took place at the St. John the Baptist Church in Koprivnički Ivanec.
The workshop was supported by the British foundation The Headley Trust.
Poster Inorganic Materials in Wall Paintings Conservation (PDF: 6.9 MB)