Conservation and Restoration
of Modern and Contemporary Art
Program and institute
Department of Art, Conservation and Restoration (ACR), School of Arts of the Catholic University of Oporto, Campus Foz, Oporto
Conservation and Restoration Centre
Study Field Conservation and Restoration of Modern and Contemporary Art
Curriculum BA and MA Degrees
The Art, Conservation and Restoration Department offers BA and MA courses in conservation and restoration of cultural heritage.
The BA degree it’s a three-year course (180 ECTS), that provides a general train in the conservation and restoration field. The first and second semesters are dedicated to the preservation and restoration of inorganic materials as stone, ceramic, glass, tiles, wall paintings, plaster works and metals. The second year is devoted to the organic materials mainly wood, paper, bone, ivory, canvas, textiles, leather and students can practice different support treatments, especially in wood sculpture and easel painting. Finally, in the last year students get in touch with the diversity of painting techniques and materials (preparations, imprimatura, pigments, binders, varnishes, coatings). This three-years training is completed by an interdisciplinary overview of Art History, Biology, Chemistry, Conservation and Restoration Theory, Museology and Preventive Conservation beyond several optional units among which we highlight: Conservation of Contemporary Art, Conservation and Restoration of Historical Furniture, Art Consultancy, Textile Conservation, Preservation of Graphic Documents etc.
Although the background of this BA degree is focused on Medieval and Early Modern Art, students have the opportunity to contact with preservation methodologies for conservation of contemporary artworks, like modern materials, documentation, installation art, modern painting, new media art.
The MA degree is a two-year diploma (120 ECTS), organized in 4 academic semesters and two main specialization areas are: conservation and restoration techniques of painting (canvas and wood) and altarpiece and carved wood. Despite the theoretical contents this degree has a very practical nature, since almost 50% is targeted to studio work. Students perform a project of thesis with a selected case study (1º semester) towards an intervention. The students interested in contemporary art can develop their project in collaboration with partner museums or other institutions, under the guidance and supervision of professionals of the community. This project provide the chance to develop theoretical and practical problems of conservation of modern and contemporary art and must be supported by analytical techniques and evaluation of conservation measures, as well as design preventive conservation strategies. The professional exposure and experience that students acquire during this training programme allow them to gain recognition as fully educated conservators and restorers according national and international accredited level.
Entry requirements
To the MA course is required a first degree in Conservation-Restoration or relevant experience. Applications may be submitted during September.
Professional outreach
Both during the first year, in the framework of the curricular units Project, and in the second full year internship students work in dioceses, in the conservation laboratories of different Museums, Foundations or in historic houses and other institutions responsible for the preservation of cultural heritage. A network of national and European collaborations allows students to have the chance of make promising careers.
Faculty and staff
For faculty and guest teachers, please go to http://artes.ucp.pt/en/
Main teaching staff: Ana Calvo, Ana Cudell, Carolina Barata, Eduarda Vieira, Frederico Henriques, Jorgelina Martinez, Maria Aguiar, Luis Bravo
Language
Portuguese and English
Contact:
Eduarda Vieira: evieira@porto.ucp.pt
Post-graduate degree from 2013 onwards
The department of Art, Conservation and Restoration of the School of Arts, Catholic University, Porto, Portugal is organizing a Post Graduate course in Conservation of Modern and Contemporary Art.The core of the course focuses on the different artistic expressions of the XX and XXI century – paintings, sculpture, new media, installation, in order to approach some of the conservation issues and implications/impact for modern and contemporary art.
In partnership with museums and with the participation of guest lecturers, the programme will cover preventive conservation, documentation, new materials, media art, exhibition management and curatorial approaches, new strategies in conservation and recreation of installations. Practical sessions will include workshops, participation of artists, talks and visits to museum exhibits.
For more information, please visit the website:
http://artes.porto.ucp.pt/pt/central-oferta-formativa/pos-graduacao-em-conservacao-de-arte-moderna-e-contemporanea