PhD studentship at University of Glasgow and National Gallery, London

AHRC funded collaborative doctoral project on smalt
University of Glasgow
National Gallery London

Aspects of manufacture, trade and history of the blue pigment smalt
and the relationship between its use in painting and other branches
of the arts

Applications are invited for a PhD at the University of Glasgow
offered under the AHRC CDP programme with the National Gallery,
London.

Smalt is a blue pigment composed of cobalt-containing glass ground
into a powder.  It was most common as an artists' pigment between
the sixteenth and eighteenth centuries and was widely used in all
types of painting, including in oil, watercolour, wall paintings and
polychrome sculpture.  Its instability and the mechanisms and
factors influencing the extent of deterioration have been well
studied by various research groups.  Some aspects of its trade and
manufacture have also been investigated.  However, more recent
research at the National Gallery, studying the elemental composition
of smalt in paintings in the collection through quantitative
analysis, has raised new research questions.  Some interesting
differences in cobalt content that show trends over time were
observed, as well as variations in the elements associated with it,
both of which may perhaps relate to aspects of the history of its
manufacture, such as preparation of the ore, or different recipes.
Other variations in composition that seem to correlate with
differences in its stability between different batches of smalt on
the same paintings have been noted on paintings.

Cobalt was used as a colorant more widely, including in glass,
ceramics and enamels, and smalt was used not only in painting but
also for the decorative arts and even as a laundry blue.  There are
many connections to be made, therefore, with other branches of the
arts and other industries that shed light on the history and
manufacture of smalt as a pigment, giving interesting opportunities
not only for research outcomes but also for dissemination activities
that draw attention to these relationships.  Further research would
help us better understand the history of this pigment, and
ultimately the implications for interpretation of results from
examination of smalt in paintings.  This concerns dating, but also
artists' intentions, by being able to define more effectively the
choices that were made, such as the use of different grades of the
pigment either for aesthetic or economic reasons.  New research on
archival sources is needed, informed by the new observations from
quantitative analysis.  This historical research will be enhanced by
practical experiments reconstructing historical recipes in order to
help interpret and understand how they influence the properties and
characteristics of the pigment.  The project aims to establish
developments in these manufacturing processes, and the artists'
choices and use of smalt, through a combined study of historical
sources from a variety of disciplines, as well as technical evidence
from the paintings themselves.

The studentship will be based at the University of Glasgow and will
be co-supervised by Dr Erma Hermens (Glasgow) and Dr Marika Spring
(National Gallery), supported by Dr Mark Richter (Glasgow).
Training will be provided by both the University of Glasgow and the
National Gallery in their respective areas of expertise.  The
studentship is funded for three years to commence in October 2015
and covers tuition fees at the Home/EU rate.  Home students and EU
students who have lived in the UK for 3 years prior to the award
will also receive a maintenance bursary (stipend) of approximately
UKP13,800 (the exact annual rate is to be confirmed).  In addition
the student is eligible to receive up to UKP1,000 a year from the
National Gallery towards research expenses.

Candidates ideally should have:

    A First Class Honours degree in History of Art or a related
    discipline

    A distinction-level Masters degree in History of Art or a
    related discipline

    An interest in and some knowledge of the history of the
    materials and techniques of old master paintings, and the
    history of science is desirable

    Applicants should be able to demonstrate strong research
    capabilities and be fluent in spoken and written English.  A
    reading ability of Italian is desirable.

    An interest in and some knowledge of techniques for examination
    and analysis of painting materials is desirable, although
    training will be provided.

Applications should include:

    A statement of no more than 1,000 words indicating what skills
    and experience you will bring to the project

    A current CV

    A transcript of qualifications to date (and anticipated results
    if you are still studying for your MA)

    A writing sample (a full essay or MA dissertation, up to 15,000
    words)

    Two letters of recommendation

Deadline for applications is 15 June 2015 Interviews will be held
towards the second half of July 2015

For general enquiries:

    erma.hermens<-at->glasgow<.>ac<.>uk
    marika.spring<-at->ng-london<.>org<.>uk

Applications should be made via the University of Glasgow online
application form.  See:

    <URL:http://www.gla.ac.uk/research/opportunities/howtoapplyforaresearchdegree/>

Please make clear in your online application that you are applying
for the National Gallery studentship.


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