Winterthur/University of Delaware Program in Art Conservation Coursework
Twelve courses, including an eleven-month internship and two 8-week summer work projects, give the student in-depth instruction in basic examination and treatment techniques. Credits, listed parenthetically after the course title, do not indicate the actual hours required to complete the course.
ARTC 615 Properties and Structure of Art Materials (3) - Classroom discussion of the fundamental physical and chemical properties of materials used to make and treat art objects and the effect of environmental conditions on these properties. Emphasis will be on the mechanics of change and ways in which such changes can be minimized. First year.
ARTC 616 Conservation Research Methods (3) - An introduction to the principles and methodology of scientific research in conservation. Emphasis on topics such as radiography, statistics, experimental design, aging, physical testing, and library research methods. First year.
ARTC 650 Seminar in Art Conservation (2) - Students will give talks on their summer projects, visiting lecturers will speak on art conservation, and faculty will conduct sessions on philosophy and ethics of conservation. Fall and Spring.
ARTC 654-655 Examination and Treatment of Art Objects I and II (6) - Students will work with faculty members in each major area of conservation, learning basic techniques in the examination of art objects, gaining experience in recommending treatments for a variety of conservation problems, conducting elementary treatments, and gaining a general knowledge of fundamental issues relating to collections care. First year. Fall and Spring.
ARTC 658-659 Advanced Apprenticeship in Art Conservation I and II (12) - Fellows may elect one major concentration and possibly a minor concentration in the various disciplines of conservation offered. Under the supervision of conservation faculty, students will focus on discussion, demonstration, and practice on current problems within their chosen specialty. Requirements for this course may also be fulfilled by work in cooperating institutions outside Winterthur Museum & Country Estate. Second year. Fall and Spring.
ARTC 670-673 Chemical and Physical Techniques Used in Examination of Art Materials I-IV (12) - Classroom discussion and laboratory application of the basic properties and science of materials used by artists, artisans and conservators. Course content will also include discussion of chemical and physical techniques used to identify and characterize metals, ceramics, glass, polymers, and other art materials. During the second year, the student will gain a basic familiarity and understanding of instrumental and analytical methods related to conservation. A science research project will be undertaken in the second year. First and second year. Fall and Spring.
ARTC 870 Internship in Conservation (18) - Fellows will spend their third academic year of study as interns under the supervision of conservators with professional qualifications. The internship is a requirement of the Program and must be completed before the Master of Science degree is awarded.
Summer Work Projects - Each student completes two 8-week summer work projects during the first and second summer in the program. The work project locations are selected by the Program to provide experience in remedial conservation and condition survey procedures.
Elective Courses
Students may select four elective courses to be chosen during the first and second year of study, one per semester. Possibilities include:
History of Art / Anthropology / Archaeology (3) - Courses covering the wide range of materials used in the fabrication of art objects, principles of connoisseurship, cultural context, analysis and identification of problems related to the conservation of objects.
ARTC 617 Analysis of Painted Surfaces (3) - Introduction to the analysis and technology of painted and varnished surfaces using reflected, visible and ultraviolet light microscopy techniques. Lectures and lab work include a review of traditional coating materials, color measurement and matching, and analysis and interpretation of cross-sections of paint and varnish stratigraphics.
ARTC 618 Conservation Cleaning Methods (3) - Introduction to techniques for controlled removal of overpaints, varnishes, and grime from paintings, decorative and architectural objects. Cross-section microscopy techniques are used. Lectures and lab work include discussion of solvent and water-based cleaning systems, use of enzymes and chelating agents, and mixing and testing of customized cleaning materials.
ARTC 644 Technology of Cultural Materials: Ceramics and Glass (3) - The nature of raw materials, processing methods, chemistry and structure of finished products, deterioration mechanisms and effects, scientific methods of analysis, and case studies of ancient and historic ceramic and glass objects from the point of view of technology, aesthetics and function. Case studies from a wide variety of cultural traditions.
ARTC 644 Technology of Cultural Materials: Metals (3) - Case studies from a wide variety of cultural traditions will study the nature of raw materials, processing methods, chemistry and structure of finished products, deterioration mechanisms and effects, scientific methods of analysis, and case studies of ancient and historic metal objects from the point of view of technology, aesthetics, and functions.
ARTC 666 Independent Studies (3) - Courses designed under faculty supervision to study cultural context, connoisseurship, or history of technology of specified materials.
Museum Studies
A selection of elective courses in museum administration to prepare Fellows in Conservation for work in museums or related cultural agencies. Students can earn a Certificate in Museum Studies.
MSST 801 Museum Curatorship Collections Management (3) - A course on collections management theory and practices that focuses on the administration, handling, physical care, recording and study of museum collections.
MSST 802 Leadership and Management of Museums (3) - Treats governance and administrative operations of museums, highlighting planning, legal and organizational structure, personnel management, finance, development, marketing, maintenance and security, libraries and archives, computer applications, public programming, and professional standards.
MSST 805 Historical Properties (3) - Administration and interpretation of historical properties, including historic site surveys, preservation research, building restoration, conservation techniques and the establishment and attainment of interpretive objects.
MSST 807 Museum Curatorship: Temporary and Economical Exhibits (3) - Focuses on the planning, designing and fabrication of economical museum exhibits for changing exhibition rooms and alternative spaces.
MSST 867 Museums and Modern Technology (3) - Examines communication strategies in museums using electronic technology to include communication strategies, digital imaging and sound, html coding, and multimedia applications on the Internet.
