San Gemini Preservation Studies

Module 1

Mural painting in Italy: history, technology, analysis and documentation

(3 credits) January 4 – January 29, 2027 (4 weeks)

Module 2

Consolidation of mural paintings: support and pictorial layers

(3 credits) February 8 – March5 , 2027 (4 weeks)

Module 3

Cleaning of Mural paintings : materials and procedures

(3 credits) March 15 – April 9, 2027 (4 weeks)

Module 4

Presentation of restored murals: visual treatment and retouching of lacunae

(3 Credits) April 19 – May 14, 2027 (3 weeks)

The program is organized over four intensive education modules, each will be four week long. The program will take place in the spring of 2027 from January 4 until May 14. Between each module students will have a nine day break for rest and travel.

The courses are intensive five days per week usually four hours of theoretical classroom education in the morning and four hours of workshop or field work in the afternoon. Weekends are usually free except for cases of special visits or field work that needs completion. The program also involves also a number of field trips to interesting sites , active restoration sites and interesting institutions.

The field work restoring murals will take place at three sites in the town of San Gemini.at the following sites in San Gemini: The church of San Giovanni Battista, The Ex-Convent of the Maddalena, and Palazzo Vecchio.

All restoration work will be supervised by licensed and experienced restorers, with oversight from local authorities and the Ministero della Cultura (Italian Ministry of Cultural Heritage).

All courses are conducted in the English language

Program Structure

Modules

Mural Painting Conservation Program

San Gemini, Italy - January 4 to May14, 2027

Requirements

College or university degree in Restoration and Conservation, Art, Art History, or Archaeology.
Previous experience in painting restoration, conservation, or mural painting.
Completion of two courses in European History
Completion of two courses in European Art History.
Basic college courses in Chemistry, Physics, Biology.
Physical ability to do medium heavy construction work on top of a scaffold

Learning Outcomes

Understand the different painting methods and materials used in fresco and secco mural painting, from Classical Rome to the Renaissance and Baroque periods.
Develop skills in surveying, analyzing, and documenting mural paintings.
Learn about the factors that contribute to the deterioration of mural paintings.
Gain knowledge of Italian restoration theory and techniques.
Acquire practical skills in restoring and conserving murals, including:
Consolidation
Cleaning
Presentation (Treatment of lacunae, Retouching)
Learn the processes of restoring past restorations, including stacco and strappo techniques.