A half course denotes a 3.0 credit course. View our Art Conservation courses in the Academic Calendar.
ARTC-801
A general survey course dealing with various aspects of conservation and museology. The course deals with professional ethics, control of the factors causing deterioration and with preventive conservation including care in handling, transporting and storing cultural property.
Half course; fall and winter.
Instructor: Emy Kim, Alison Murray, Fiona Graham
ARTC-802
This course discusses organic and inorganic materials important in conservation. Topics covered will include the chemical structure, properties, degradation processes, and conservation treatments of the different materials. Scientific principles that are encountered in conservation treatment will also be studied.
Half course; fall.
Instructor: Alison Murray
ARTC-804
This course covers the theory and use of the polarizing microscope, which enables the identification of art materials including pigments and fibers. Other investigative techniques that will be discussed include: microchemical tests and fluorescence microscopy. This course comprises both lectures and labs.
Half course; winter.
Instructor: Alison Murray
ARTC-806
The first of two internships of three months duration in the conservation department of an approved institution or with an approved conservator. The internships are intended to expose students to a variety of situations in the field. Whenever possible, internships will be arranged to suit the interest and abilities of individual students.
Three months (12 weeks) duration; spring/summer.
Instructor: Various/TBA
ARTC-807
The second internship of three months duration in the conservation department of a recognized institution or with an approved conservator. Wherever possible, the second internship will be taken in a situation relevant to the student's area of interest.
Three months (12 weeks) duration; spring/summer.
Instructor: Various/TBA
ARTC-808
This course is designed to give an understanding of selected instrumental methods of analysis used in art conservation. Aspects covered include the fundamental principles underlying the techniques, the instrumentation, and the practical applications and limitations. The principles of colour and light will also be covered. There will be lectures and laboratory demonstrations.
Half course; fall.
Instructor: Alison Murray
ARTC-810
This course covers theory and practice of digital imaging for flat and three-dimensional cultural heritage objects, using several techniques: digital photography, infrared, ultraviolet, reflectance transformation imaging, x-ray and others. Post-capture image manipulation and image storage/retrieval will be stressed, as well as studio protocol and artifact handling and safety.
Half course; fall.
Instructor: Norman Paul
ARTC-811
A detailed study of the structure and characteristics of archaeological and historic artifacts. Historical and geographical factors affecting the development of artifacts are examined as well as the interrelationship of materials and methods of production. The causes of deterioration of artifacts and methods of preventing further deterioration are evaluated, together with the materials and methods needed to carry out conservation treatments. This course concentrates on artifacts made primarily of metals and stone.
Half course; winter.
Instructor: Emy Kim
ARTC-812
This course has the same format as ARTC-811 but with particular emphasis on artifacts made from materials of organic origin, especially wood, leather, bone and ivory.
Half course; fall.
Instructor: Emy Kim
ARTC-813
This course has the same format as ARTC-811 but with particular emphasis on artifacts of organic origin, especially textiles.
Half course; winter.
Instructor: Emy Kim
ARTC-821
A detailed study of the structure and characteristics of historical fabric-supported paintings. The history of materials and techniques, agents of deterioration, and methods of remedial treatments are examined.
Half course; fall.
Instructor: Patricia Smithen
ARTC-822
Continuing the studies begun in ARTC-821, this course examines the materials and techniques, deterioration, and conservation of paintings on solid supports. Emphasis will be placed on the study of wood panel paintings.
Half course; winter.
Instructor: Patricia Smithen
ARTC-823
This course has the same format as ARTC-821 with a concentration on contemporary art. Emphasis will be placed on contemporary painting and multi-media works.
Half course; winter.
Instructor: Patricia Smithen
ARTC-824
This course will involve theoretical and practical study of various types of technical examination of paintings. Emphasis will be placed on interpreting observed phenomena and exploring their contributions to art historical and conservation study and practice. Examination techniques to be studied will include visible light, radiography, microscopy, and various instrumental analytical and dating techniques. Practical sessions will be held in the laboratories of the Master of Art Conservation Program using historical paintings from the collections of the Agnes Etherington Art Centre. Field trips to other conservation laboratories will also be organized.
Half course, limited enrollment.
Instructor: Patricia Smithen
ARTC-831
A detailed study of the structure and characteristics of paper objects. Historical, geographical, social and economic factors in the development of the technology of paper artifacts are considered. The causes of deterioration of paper objects are described and methods of preventing further deterioration are evaluated, together with materials and methods needed to carry out conservation treatments. This course focuses on archival materials.
Half course; fall.
Instructor: Rosaleen Hill
ARTC-832
This course has the same format as ARTC-831 with particular emphasis being placed on prints, drawings and watercolours.
Half course; winter.
Instructor: Rosaleen Hill
ARTC-833
This course has the same format as ARTC-831 with particular emphasis on paper-based artifacts of complex structure such as books and photographs and their preservation in an institutional context.
Half course; winter.
Instructor: Rosaleen Hill
ARTC-850
Studio and workshop practice in the conservation of artifacts, particularly those made of ceramics and glass. Methods of preventing further deterioration are applied to artifacts and experience is gained in the use of materials for conservation.
Half Course; fall.
Instructor: Emy Kim
ARTC-851
This course continues the studies begun in ARTC-850 with special emphasis on artifacts made from metals and stone.
Half course; winter.
Instructor: Emy Kim
ARTC-852
This course continues the studies begun in ARTC-850 with special emphasis on artifacts made of wood, leather, bone and ivory, and those made of a number of different materials.
Half course; fall
Instructor: Emy Kim
ARTC-853
This course continues the studies begun in ARTC-850 with particular emphasis on artifacts made from materials of organic origin, especially textiles.
Half course; winter.
Instructor: Emy Kim
ARTC-861
Laboratory practice in painting conservation treatments; introduction to assessment of condition and condition reports. Theoretical studies of ARTC-821 are applied to practical restoration projects undertaken under faculty supervision.
Half course; fall.
Instructor: Patricia Smithen
ARTC-862
This course continues studies begun in ARTC-861.
Half course; winter.
Instructor: Patricia Smithen
ARTC-863
This course is designed to provide second year students with increasingly more complex problems in the conservation of paintings. Aesthetic, historical and ethical aspects are considered along with practical approaches to the conservation of a variety of unusual painting materials and paintings on solid supports.
Half course; fall.
Instructor: Patricia Smithen
ARTC-864
Continuation of ARTC-863.
Half course; winter.
Instructor: Patricia Smithen
ARTC-871
Laboratory practice in the handling of the materials of art and conservation. Theoretical studies are applied to practical conservation and preservation projects, which are undertaken with faculty supervision. This course emphasizes the conservation and preservation of archival materials.
Half course; fall.
Instructor: Rosaleen Hill
ARTC-872
This course continues the studies begun in ARTC-871 with special emphasis on the restoration and conservation of fine art objects on paper and related materials.
Half course; winter.
Instructor: Rosaleen Hill
ARTC-873
This course continues studies begun in ARTC-871 with special emphasis on the care and preservation of books and photographs in the institutional context.
Half course; winter.
Instructor: Rosaleen Hill
ARTC-874
This course provides second year students with increasingly more complex problems in the conservation of paper objects. Aesthetic, historical and ethical aspects are considered along with practical approaches to the conservation of objects of varied structures and materials.
Half course; fall.
Instructor: Rosaleen Hill
ARTC-897
This course will provide students with an opportunity to explore specific topics in depth. This course will usually take the form of a closely supervised reading course in an area of the instructor's expertise.
Half course.
Instructor: Various/TBA
ARTC-898
Research will be carried out in consultation with and under the guidance of the instructor. Each student will conduct a research project and produce a written report. Students will need to obtain the instructor's permission to pursue research in an area relevant to the field of art conservation. The course will include oral presentations and formal reports.
Full-year course; fall, winter, spring and summer.
Instructor: Alison Murray
ARTC-899
Instructor: Various