Recent Publications
Conservation in the Nineteenth Century
Isabelle Brajer (ed.)
The papers in this volume, presented at the conference Conservation in the Nineteenth Century, suggest that we should not think of the nineteenth century as a time solely marked by conservation activities that should be be criticised, but as an interesting confluence of various attitudes out of which modern conservation trends emerged. The conservation profession has its roots in the intellectual movements of the first half of the 19th century, following the Enlightenment. Scholarly study of ... more...
Conservation of Archaeological Ships and Boats
Per Hoffmann
Behind each archaeological shipwreck recovery lies a team of highly skilled specialists: divers, archaeologists, engineers, scientists, conservators, curators, historians, designers etc. While each boat found presents a unique combination of problems to be overcome, the most challenging aspect of all these projects has been the conservation of the degraded wood, iron and other materials that make up a ship’s hull and its contents. The materials and techniques used in this branch of conservatio... more...
Lasers in the Conservation of Artworks IX
David Saunders, Matija Strlic, Capucine Korenberg, Naomi Luxford, Karen Birkhölzer (eds)
The papers in this volume were presented as papers or posters at the ninth meeting dedicated to the use of lasers in the conservation of artworks (LACONA), hosted by the British Museum and University College, London. They focus not only on the fundamental scientific research behind the use of laser technology, but also on the application of lasers in the treatment and analyses of cultural heritage in a way that is directly applicable to conservation practice. The papers illustrate three broad th... more...
Blue Pigments: 5000 years of Art and Industry
François Delamare
In the natural world, blue rocks from which objects can be fashioned are rare - a few marbles, lapis-lazuli and related rocks, and minerals containing copper. However those which, once ground, can be used as pigments are exceptional. Only lapis-lazuli and azurite come to mind. The long absence of blues from the palettes of our distant ancestors is therefore easy to explain as is the fact that blue pigments have always been an expensive commodity which became the objects of a very lucrative trade... more...
British Museum Technical Research Bulletin, Volume 6, The
David Saunders (ed.)
This bulletin, part of an annual series which Archetype Publications publishes in association with the British Museum, offers a new forum to show a dynamic behind-the-scenes glimpse of the current work of curators, conservators and scientists conducted on a range of artefacts and materials across the collections at the British Museum.... more...
Luminous Trace: Drawing and Writing in Metalpoint, The
Thea Burns
The origins of metalpoint (silverpoint, goldpoint, etc.) drawing are widely thought to lie in classical antiquity. The Luminous Trace investigates the artefactual and literary evidence for the use of metalpoint through the ages from earliest times up to its revival, particularly in the United States, in the later 20th and early 21st centuries, reviewing the history and historiography of metalpoint and its use for drawing and writing. Metalpoint drawings are the central objects of this stu... more...
In Artists' Footsteps: The Reconstruction of Pigments and Paintings
Lucy Wrapson, Jenny Rose, Rose Miller, Spike Bucklow (eds)
In Artists’ Footsteps explores the technical study and reconstruction of Old Master paintings and pigments from the medieval to the modern period. The contributions from experts in the fields of technical art history and conservation reflect a broad spectrum of current research and investigation worldwide. The authors address the making of historically informed reconstructions as a way of informing the conservation process, assisting in the training of conservators and understanding ... more...
Adhesives and Consolidants in Painting Conservation
Angelina Barros D'Sa, Lizzie Bone, Alexandra Gent (eds)
Adhesives and consolidants used in the conservation of paintings (e.g. for lining, the laying down of paint flakes, the application of temporary facings etc, can have very varying properties at the time they are applied. Over time, and under differing conditions, some materials can present concerns for the conservator including brittleness, yellowing and discolouration and difficulty in removal. The papers in this volume, presented at an ICON paintings group conference at the National Portrai... more...
Engraving and Etching 1400-2000: A History of the Development of Manual Intaglio Printmaking Processes
Ad Stijnman
This book, published by Archetype Publications in association with HES & DE GRAAF Publishers, surveys the history of the techniques of engraving, etching and plate printing - ie that of manual intaglio printmaking processes - from its beginning in the 1430s until today. These developments are observed in the light of the coherence between the technique of the intaglio print (such as its materials and methods of production); the ‘style’ or outward appearance of the print; the creator of the ... more...
Historical Technology, Materials and Conservation: SEM and Microanalysis
Nigel Meeks, Caroline Cartwright, Andrew Meek, Aude Mongiatti (eds)
In the decades since it was first used to examine works of art and archaeological pieces, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) has become an essential tool in any museum or gallery laboratory, allowing details of the surface and the way in which it has been modified - for example by manufacturing or during conservation - to be scrutinised. The possibility of applying microanalytical methods within the scanning electron microscope, most notably energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, has greatly in... more...
Moving Collections: Processes and Consequences
Ida Antonia Tank Bronken, Susan Braovac, Tone Marie Olstad, Anne Apalnes Ørnhøi (eds)
Moving Collections: Processes and Consequences is the result of an initiative from the Norwegian section of the Nordic Conservators Association (NKF-N) which organised a conference entitled 'Planning to move? Processes and consequences for collections, objects and society' in Oslo. The articles in this publication are based upon the presentations at that conference. Working with cultural heritage objects requires knowledge-based decisions on transportation on a regular basis whether mo... more...
Ciencia para los restauradores: materiales, limpieza, adhesivos y recubrimientos
Este libro es una guía que introduce a los restauradores en todas aquellas cuestiones científicas implícitas tanto en los mecanismos de deterioro que experimentan las obras de arte como en las materiales y métodos empleados en los diferentes tratamientos de restauración.... more...
Turquoise in Mexico and North America: Science, Conservation, Culture and Collections
J.C.H. King, Max Carocci, Caroline Cartwright, Colin McEwan, Rebecca Stacey (eds)
Turquoise, as a gemstone or as a decorative part of an object, has a fascinating history of discovery and use in Mexico and North America. This blue-green opaque mineral has been highly prized in antiquity and even now, its compelling colour tones and attractive textures are much sought after for quality jewellery. Like the mineral itself, this volume Turquoise in Mexico and North America: Science, Conservation, Culture and Collections is distinguished by its variety, with something of in... more...
Innovative Approaches to the Complex Care of Contemporary Art
Iwona Szmelter (ed.)
The volume Innovative Approaches to the Complex Care of Contemporary Art contributes to the debate on the care of the most recent cultural heritage - modern and contemporary art. A new understanding is required, which takes into account the care and conservation of both the tangible and intangible aspects of visual art. The paradox of current conservation practice has been that despite adopting the new concept of heritage, the aims and methods of conservation have remained the same, evol... more...
Artists' Pigments: A Handbook of their History and Characteristics, Volume 1
Robert L. Feller (ed.)
This is the first volume in the series Artists' Pigments: A Handbook of their History and Characteristics published by National Gallery of Art in association with Archetype Publications Ltd. The first three volumes were reprinted in 2012 so the full set is available for the first time: 9781904982746 Artists' Pigments Volume 1 Robert Feller (ed.) 9781904982753 Artists' Pigments Volume 2 Ashok Roy (ed.) 9781904982760 Artists' Pigments Volume 3 Elisabeth West Fitzhugh (ed.) 9781904982234... more...
Artists' Pigments: A Handbook of their History and Characteristics, Volume 2
Ashok Roy (ed.)
This is the second volume in the series Artists' Pigments: A Handbook of their History and Characteristics published by National Gallery of Art in association with Archetype Publications Ltd. The first three volumes are to be reprinted in 2012 so the full set will be available for the first time: 9781904982746 Artists' Pigments Volume 1 Robert Feller (ed.) 9781904982753 Artists' Pigments Volume 2 Ashok Roy (ed.) 9781904982760 Artists' Pigments Volume 3 Elisabeth West Fitzhugh (ed.) 97... more...
Artists' Pigments: A Handbook of their History and Characteristics, Volume 3
Elisabeth West Fitzhugh (ed.)
This is the third volume in the series Artists' Pigments: A Handbook of their History and Characteristics published by National Gallery of Art in association with Archetype Publications Ltd. The first three volumes were reprinted in 2012 so the full set is available for the first time: 9781904982746 Artists' Pigments Volume 1 Robert Feller (ed.) 9781904982753 Artists' Pigments Volume 2 Ashok Roy (ed.) 9781904982760 Artists' Pigments Volume 3 Elisabeth West Fitzhugh (ed.) 9781904982234... more...
On the Trail of Bosch and Bruegel: Four Paintings United under Cross-examination
Erma Hermens (ed.)
The four paintings investigated in this book all depict Christ driving the traders from the temple. They are alike yet different with echoes of Pieter Bruegel the Elder and Hieronymous Bosch, but all were presumed to have been painted in Antwerp in the 16th century. Over the past 300 years, each painting has found its way to a collection in a different corner of Europe: the Kadriorg Art Museum, Tallinn, Estonia; the National Gallery of Denmark; the Glasgow Museums, and a private collection in Lo... more...
Scientific Research on Ancient Asian Metallurgy
Paul Jett, Blythe McCarthy, Janet G. Douglas (eds)
The use of scientific methods to study works of art began at the Freer Gallery of Art in 1951 with the work of R. J. Gettens. While Mr. Gettens was active in many fields of research, his landmark publication was the volume of technical studies on the Freer Chinese bronzes, a collaborative effort by scientists, conservators, and art historians. These proceedings, and their companion symposium, commemorate that work and also present recent studies on ancient Chinese bronzes and Southeast and West... more...
Archaeology and Digital Communication: Towards Strategies of Public Engagement
Chiara Bonacchi (ed.)
Archaeologists now face a myriad of digital ways of engaging with the public – social media, online TV channels, games, etc. It is critical that this potential and its limitations are closely assessed and utilised to make archaeology a genuinely public activity. Archaeology and Digital Communication examines how archaeology engages the public in the rapidly changing world of communication. This volume proposes digital strategies of public engagement that will be of interest to archae... more...
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