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

TRAINING IN THE CONSERVATION OF PAINTINGS
the apprenticeship. This is not equally true of the scientist, or of
the conservator of objects other than paintings. Moreover, like all
forms of training, this fragmented programme can, given outstanding
masters and outstanding students, and some further years of
experience, ultimately produce first-class restorers even of paintings.
But it is not what we would recommend as the ideal course qualifying
a student for a certificate of proficiency in the restoration of
paintings and drawings.
53. Our visits have confirmed our view that the ideal specialised
training must take place over at least four years in an institute of
conservation, with the student, as soon as he can do so without
danger, performing increasingly difficult tasks in close association
with a skilled restorer who is himself working on varied and high
quality material; and that his theoretical and background instruction
should be obtained during the same period.
Pattern of Training
54. The kind of scheme which emerges from the foregoing considerations
in the light of all the evidence is:
(a) Basic Course
For the period before entry to the Advanced Course, there is
general agreement that a minimum of three years satisfactory
education resulting either in a university degree in any subject, a
Dip.A.D. or any other equivalent, or a period in a workshop,
would be acceptable providing in all cases that the student is
able to satisfy the authorities by interview and appropriate tests
as to his natural aptitude for the work. But it is generally felt
that some specialised conservation training also should be available
before entry to the Advanced Course for those who are
attracted to this profession at school-leaving age. Such specialised
training, which would probably consist of a qualifying year corresponding
to the foundation year at an art school followed by a
regular two year course of practical and theoretical work, might
reasonably exempt the student from one or perhaps two years of
the advanced course.
(b) Advanced Course
For those with no previous specialised training, this should be a
five years course. The first year would probably be an introduction
to the techniques involved, from which those who attended
the basic course at (a) above would automatically be exempt on
production of a certificate of satisfactory attendance. The four
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