Course Outline

Goal

The seminar will provide an understanding of how scientific analysis of museum objects and works of art can uncover facts about their age, provenance, and history, as well as information that assists with their preservation and conservation.

Description

Through a slide and lecture presentation, commentary, and discussion, participants will learn about scientific examination procedures, the potentials and limitations of using scientific techniques to study museum objects and works of art, and information in reference databases available from CCI, especially in relation to Canadian artists and ethnographic collections. This seminar can be presented as a lecture forum with short reflection and question periods for larger groups, or as a more informal presentation for smaller groups within a museum followed by a discussion of scientific approaches that could be taken with specific artifacts or collections.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this seminar, participants will be able to:

• understand the application of science to the study of works of art
• make decisions about requesting scientific examination or analyses

Target Audience

Conservators, curators, and faculty and students of art history, museology, and conservation programs