Heritage
and society in the Czech lands between 1900 and 1960: professional and personal strategies of heritage
preservationists in the light of private correspondence
ID: (project cooperation with Institute of Art History Czech Academy of Sciences, Mararyk Institute and Archives of the CAS)
Investigator: Mgr. Tomáš Hylmar
Status: Active
Investigation Period: 2023–2027
Programme: NAKI III
ID: (project cooperation with Institute of Art History Czech Academy of Sciences, Mararyk Institute and Archives of the CAS)
Investigator: Mgr. Tomáš Hylmar
Status: Active
Investigation Period: 2023–2027
Programme: NAKI III
The
protection of cultural heritage plays a key role in shaping a common cultural
identity. The aim of the
project is to map little-known contexts of the history of Czech heritage conservation.
It focuses on the development of the local society's relationship to the
protection of heritage properties in the first half of the 20th century from
the perspective of various social, professional and interest groups. It tries
to emphasize the importance of this protection for the formation of a shared
cultural consciousness and to present the often forgotten actors who gave this
activity a face. The project
follows the period 1900–1960 and thus includes several major historical turning points,
against the background of which important changes and constants in the approach
to heritage
properties can be captured. The core of the research is the reconstruction of
period actor
networks, the axis of which is the work of Z. Wirth, a key initiator, guarantor
and popularizer
of the field throughout the period under review. The project will therefore
benefit from Wirth's
extremely valuable and rich collection of correspondence with leading figures
in the field. The
project is based on interdisciplinary cooperation between art historians,
historians and archivists. It makes effective use of the shared potential of
the three participating institutions that manage key research archives. Parts
of period correspondence will be made available in the form of a public
database and editions, which will be complemented by the audiovisual program on
the importance of correspondence for the knowledge of modern history. The main outputs
are three exhibitions with accompanying catalogues and an interactive map
presenting selected regional personalities, institutions and monument cases. In
this manner, the project will present not only the history of the field, but
also the importance of heritage properties protection for the identification of
residents with their municipality, region or country.
Technology of Treatment and Identification of Degradation Processes of Ceramic Finds from Hradčany Palaces—Methods of Restoration and Conservation of Porous and Dense Ceramics and Porcelain
ID: DG18P02OVV028
Investigator: Ing. Radka Šefců
Status: Active
Investigation Period: 2018–2020
Programme: NAKI II
CEP Link
The main aim of the project is to combine basic and applied research of different types of ceramics in order to develop a methodology of conservation and restoration treatment of ceramic bodies and surface layers of ceramic finds. Archaeological ceramic finds from the Hradčany palaces will be the main subject. The project will also include a specific investigation of sculptures in the National Gallery Prague. The partial objectives are to characterize and identify historical ceramic bodies and ceramic surface layers using scientific analysis. The methods will combine non-invasive and micro-destructive analyses and will take into account the uniqueness of the studied material. We will study and identify degradation processes in historical ceramics and their surface layers via controlled ageing of model samples. The degradation environment simulation will be based on the analysis of the Salm Palace cesspits. The research will include the effect of VOCs on lead-glaze and employ innovative materials for restoration. We will run suitability tests of restoring materials performed on lab-made samples. The findings will then be used in practice to develop methodologies and technologies for the application of adhesives and fillers and the verification of their stability and reversibility. The findings will serve as guidelines for optimized restoration procedures, conservation and restoration of ceramic finds of Hradčany palaces.
Technology of Treatment and Identification of Degradation Processes of Ceramic Finds from Hradčany Palaces—Methods of Restoration and Conservation of Porous and Dense Ceramics and Porcelain
ID: DG18P02OVV028
Investigator: Ing. Radka Šefců
Status: Active
Investigation Period: 2018–2020
Programme: NAKI II
CEP Link
The main aim of the project is to combine basic and applied research of different types of ceramics in order to develop a methodology of conservation and restoration treatment of ceramic bodies and surface layers of ceramic finds. Archaeological ceramic finds from the Hradčany palaces will be the main subject. The project will also include a specific investigation of sculptures in the National Gallery Prague. The partial objectives are to characterize and identify historical ceramic bodies and ceramic surface layers using scientific analysis. The methods will combine non-invasive and micro-destructive analyses and will take into account the uniqueness of the studied material. We will study and identify degradation processes in historical ceramics and their surface layers via controlled ageing of model samples. The degradation environment simulation will be based on the analysis of the Salm Palace cesspits. The research will include the effect of VOCs on lead-glaze and employ innovative materials for restoration. We will run suitability tests of restoring materials performed on lab-made samples. The findings will then be used in practice to develop methodologies and technologies for the application of adhesives and fillers and the verification of their stability and reversibility. The findings will serve as guidelines for optimized restoration procedures, conservation and restoration of ceramic finds of Hradčany palaces.
Implementation of results:
The study of ceramic bodies, from archaeological finds to works of plastic
art, is an opportunity to establish methodological procedures and to implement
new data into the education schedules of conservators–restorers. The partners
jointly applying for this project (UCT, IA ASCR, NG) hold a unique position
within Czech Republic thanks to their considerable experience with
archaeological finds and cultural heritage. The exhibition The Artwork of the
Season is also part of the project.
Mobile Device Devoted to Imaging and Analysis of the Layered Paintings and Polychromy of the Works of Old Art
ID: DG18P02OVV006
Investigator: Mgr. Štěpánka Chlumská
Status: Active
Investigation Period: 2018–2020
Programme: NAKI II
CEP Link
The aim of the proposed project is the creation of a mobile device (3D X-ray profilometer) for non-destructive analysis of the paint layers of old artworks. The related data will be acquired utilizing advanced backscatter X-ray imaging. The layers of painting will be 3D-reconstructed with micrometric scale resolution. Applying very fast spectroscopic detectors will allow us to obtain information about the material composition of the layers of investigated artefacts. The scanning of objects in visible and infrared light will be used as a complementary method. Simultaneously, we plan to build a laboratory device combining 3D X-ray micro-profilometry and X-ray dual energy computed tomography (the so-called DECT, already available at CET). Backscatter X-ray imaging and X-ray tomography can be used as complementary methods. Laboratory tomography will allow us to acquire detailed data about the inner structure of the wood used in the sculptures (construction, damaging) and the dendrochronology inputs for indicated cases. The resolution scale will significantly exceed that of standardly utilized methods (especially medical CT and radiography). Data about 3D depth profile of surface layers will be non-invasively acquired by explorating polychrome and layered paintings in terms of their layer structure and material composition. This will help to identify historical materials and painting techniques. The essential advantage of the proposed methodology lies in the full-area imaging of the individual layers of the examined objects (full-area stratigraphy), which has been in experimental use in a handful of highly specialized laboratories abroad. The device, software, as well as related methodology will be developed based on complex non-destructive analysis of a carefully selected category of artworks (The Collection of Old Masters at the National Gallery Prague). The popularization of results is a crucial part of the project and will be carried out in collaboration with the National Gallery Prague.
Mobile Device Devoted to Imaging and Analysis of the Layered Paintings and Polychromy of the Works of Old Art
ID: DG18P02OVV006
Investigator: Mgr. Štěpánka Chlumská
Status: Active
Investigation Period: 2018–2020
Programme: NAKI II
CEP Link
The aim of the proposed project is the creation of a mobile device (3D X-ray profilometer) for non-destructive analysis of the paint layers of old artworks. The related data will be acquired utilizing advanced backscatter X-ray imaging. The layers of painting will be 3D-reconstructed with micrometric scale resolution. Applying very fast spectroscopic detectors will allow us to obtain information about the material composition of the layers of investigated artefacts. The scanning of objects in visible and infrared light will be used as a complementary method. Simultaneously, we plan to build a laboratory device combining 3D X-ray micro-profilometry and X-ray dual energy computed tomography (the so-called DECT, already available at CET). Backscatter X-ray imaging and X-ray tomography can be used as complementary methods. Laboratory tomography will allow us to acquire detailed data about the inner structure of the wood used in the sculptures (construction, damaging) and the dendrochronology inputs for indicated cases. The resolution scale will significantly exceed that of standardly utilized methods (especially medical CT and radiography). Data about 3D depth profile of surface layers will be non-invasively acquired by explorating polychrome and layered paintings in terms of their layer structure and material composition. This will help to identify historical materials and painting techniques. The essential advantage of the proposed methodology lies in the full-area imaging of the individual layers of the examined objects (full-area stratigraphy), which has been in experimental use in a handful of highly specialized laboratories abroad. The device, software, as well as related methodology will be developed based on complex non-destructive analysis of a carefully selected category of artworks (The Collection of Old Masters at the National Gallery Prague). The popularization of results is a crucial part of the project and will be carried out in collaboration with the National Gallery Prague.
