Scientific methods in Art History [ LHART2210 ]

None.

The field of application will be the Early Netherlandish Painting School (15th and 16th Centuries). During the last decennia this school of painting has attracted many scholars specialized in technical examination. An abundant litterature resulted, amounting to a sort of "history of art in the making".

The aim pursued is to learn how to read technical documents and how to interpret different results presented by a laboratory. This teaching is intended for students who want to be involved with technical examination of works of art. Examples are chosen in painting. The technical characteristics of a painting are relevant when it comes to an evaluation of authenticity, attribution, datation, state of conservation.

Oral or written exam depending on the number of students (/20).

Mainly considered are: different dating methods (dendrochronology, thermoluminecence, C14), methods using the visible and invisible spectra of light (photography, microscopy, ultraviolet fluorescence, infrared photography and reflectography, radiography), 3D acquisition of objects, physico-chemical analysis (sampling, elemental analysis, molecular and structura analysis)

 Selective bibliography will be distributed.

Support : student notes. .