ARTH 508
Art and Conservation: An Inquiry into History, Methods, and Materials Spring 2025
Division I

In this course students will learn to recognize the materials present in cultural heritage collections, understand the history of artists’ methods and techniques, and hone their observation and examination skills for working with material culture. Students will form a basis in art conservation and condition assessment vocabulary and will exercise handling and examination skills for a variety of materials and artworks. Students will explore cultural heritage through the lens of the art conservator and form a broader awareness of the ethics and procedures of conservation and preservation. An understanding of the vulnerabilities and condition issues of cultural materials and how to care for them will be developed as an impactful, practical resource for future careers in cultural heritage. A multi-disciplinary group of teachers from the staff at the Williamstown + Atlanta Art Conservation Center (W+AACC) will conduct lectures, practicums, discussions on conservation research literature, and visits to nearby art institutions. Sessions are held at the W+AACC Conservation Center in the Lunder Center at Stone Hill on the Clark Art Institute campus. Students receive a syllabus with session outlines and required reading lists. Required readings are available via GLOW and on reserve at the Clark Library. Three exams will be given throughout the course. Attendance is required at all sessions in lieu of a final exam (each exam and attendance are weighted at 25% of the final grade).