Training in the Conservation of Paintings - Calouste Gulbenkian ...

TRAINING IN THE CONSERVATION OF PAINTINGS
(a) visual understanding and a feeling for art and sensitivity towards
the intention of an artist; this implies a special kind of selfeffacing
artistic sense combined with an historical approach;
(b) manual skill, draughtsmanship and a knowledge of painting
techniques;
(e) a knowledge of and interest in art history sufficient to enable
him to base his understanding of the methods and idiosyncracies
of the painters of the past, and his interpretation of their intentions,
as far as possible, on ascertainable facts;
(d) a working knowledge of such chemistry, physics and biology
as is relevant to the practical problems;
(e) the practical mechanical ability to use simple scientific equipment;
(f) enough scientific understanding to apply to his work the
results of scientific research and appreciate the relevance of new
techniques and methods as they emerge.
By the balanced development of these qualities the restorer's training
must leave him aware of the extent to which he must subject his
own personal taste and inclination to the ascertainable facts both of
science and of history.
Duration of Training
33. All our witnesses are agreed that a number of years of relevant
(but not necessarily all specialised) experience are needed to form a
fully responsible restorer; and that this experience should include
an advanced course, lasting at least four to five years, of specialised
training, i.e. training not less intensive than that which is now given
in the National Gallery or Tate Gallery, with added facilities for
regular instruction in the scientific, theoretical and historical aspects
of conservation, theories and practice of painting, general science
and art history. This course would not normally be available to
students of less than twenty years of age or more than twenty-five;
and might be preceded by any appropriate experience including art
school, university or workshop experience; but, for those who decide
on a career in the restoration of paintings immediately on leaving
school, there is agreement that a basic course in conservation ought
to be available at recognised institutes of further education to lead
to the advanced course. If, as we think necessary, an award is given
at the end of the advanced course, the total period after leaving
school at say seventeen years to the award of the certificate would
be at least eight years. The certificate would then normally be
gained at about twenty-four to twenty-six years of age and would
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