Amelia International Conservation Studies

Preserving our Past: Paper Conservation for Art and Archives

Program Description

Amelia International Conservation Studies
June 10 - July 5, 2024
Amelia, Italy

In this course, students will learn the practical skills and techniques used in the restoration and preservation of paper-based artworks and archives. Through hands-on demonstrations and lectures, participants will get an in-depth understanding of the history of paper, paper-care basics, and the different restoration methods and materials suitable for different types of paper-based items.

By the end of the course, students will have gained an in-depth knowledge about paper restoration techniques for artworks and archives.
They will have developed the practical skills to explore and solve issues related to the damages in paper-based items. Participants can expect to gain expertise in the use of conservation materials and have an understanding of how to handle the artwork and archives for further preservation.
They will also achieve a deep appreciation of the cultural significance of paper-based items, and how restoring these objects is an important part of preserving our cultural heritage.
Overall, students can expect to come away from this course with a strong foundation in paper restoration techniques, and an understanding of how to apply these techniques to preserve works of art and archives for generations to come.

Course 1
Instructor: Manuela Belli
Instructor: Laura Chignoli

Amelia International Conservation Studies

Paper Media and Conservation of Art on Paper

This theoretical lecture course on the restoration of paper media gives an overview of the field, including instruction on:

  • the nature and history of paper;

  • the traditional methods of paper making and printing;

  • the processes of deterioration over time;

  • handling and mounting;

  • and the various methods of conservation and restoration of paper, and artworks on paper.

Course 2
Instructor: Nikolas Sarris
Instructor: Laura Chignoli

Amelia International Conservation Studies

Conservation of Manuscript & Printed Archival Material

The workshop includes practice on documents from the Amelia Historic Archive and on original ancient prints from private collection.

This course is aimed at two types of students: those planning to become restorers and those planning to manage paper-based resources in libraries, archives or museums. For those planning on a career as a restorer, this is a good introduction to the field to be followed up by further education. For those planning to manage paper-based resources, it is a good overview of the field and offers insight and experience on the safe storage and conservation of paper materials. 

The work done in the workshop is actual work conserving original materials (13th to19th centuries) from these archives that becomes part of the students’ professional curriculum.

Both courses include some study visits to local libraries and archives and to Fabriano, Italy.

Students learn basic skills required for the cleaning and restoration of paper media in archival documents: manuscripts, printed materials and engravings. Instruction is done through lectures and practical workshops where students apply their newly learned skills under the careful supervision of their instructors on original documents from the Amelia Historic Archives (13th-19th centuries).

This course is aimed at two types of students: those planning to become restorers and those planning to manage paper-based resources in libraries, archives or museums. For those planning on a career as a restorer, this is a good introduction to the field to be followed up by further education. For those planning to manage paper-based resources, it is a good overview of the field and offers insight and experience on the safe storage and conservation of paper materials. 

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

  • Analyze physical properties of document and create map of the damage.

  • Apply dry cleaning methods to paper document

  • Test for, determine and apply appropriate wet cleaning methods

  • Select appropriate materials and mend tears in paper, infill loses, line weak paper structures and flatten paper documents

  • Make or choose appropriate mounts and cases to display or protect documents .