Art conservation

Continued from Page 49

Art history + chemistry = art conservation

In 1971, the University of Delaware created its interdiscliplinary bachelor’s degree in art conversation, sponsored by the art history and chemistry departments. It was rethought a decade later and renamed technology of art and historic objects. A second rethink returned the original name. A modern sample curriculum of the degree includes at least a dozen courses in art conservation and five in chemistry, plus recommended courses in art, art history and anthropology. Students are encouraged to double-major or minor in related fields, such as chemistry, art history, anthropology, a foreign language, art or material culture studies.

“Name a discipline, and I can find how it’s connected,” Owczarek said.

Chemistry remains critical because conservationists need to understand what the object is made from in order to develop the best treatment.

“We’re affecting objects as little as possible,” Hagerman said, noting that starts with properly handling the spines of books, avoid using the handles of ceramic objects and wearing gloves whenever appropriate to do so.

Continued on Page 52