Table of Contents
Art and Cultural Heritage Workshop: Conservation, Microscopy and Analysis
This workshop brings together scientists and conservators who work at the interface of cultural heritage and analytical science. Through case studies, technical presentations, and guided tours of the conservation facilities of the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), participants will explore the methods used to study and preserve artworks across diverse materials and time periods.
Workshop presenters include conservators and analytical specialists from the National Gallery of Victoria, the Smithsonian Institution, the University of Melbourne, the Australian Synchrotron, and the CSIRO. Some of the analysis techniques to be discussed include:
- X-radiography,
- Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR),
- Synchrotron x-ray fluorescence (SXRF),
- Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy-dispersive x-ray spectrometry (EDS), and electron probe microanalysis (EPMA),
- Cathodoluminescence (CL) and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy.
- Infrared reflectance spectroscopy.
In addition to lectures, this workshop includes behind‑the‑scenes access to NGV’s conservation studios, giving a rare opportunity to observe modern conservation practice, and discuss methods, equipment and challenges.
Workshop program
| TIME | SESSION | SPEAKER | LOCATION |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8:40- | Arrival & registration | North Foyer entrance | |
| 9:00-9:30 | Welcome and introductions | Caitlin Breare (NGV) | Theatre |
| Overview of conservation and research at the NGV | Michael Varcoe-Cocks (NGV) | ||
| 9:30-10:00 | From Paper to Paintings, Cultural Materials Analysis at the Australian Synchrotron's XFM Beamline | Daryl Howard (Australian Synchrotron) | |
| 10:00-10:30 | Ancient Blues Unraveled: The Birth of Synthetic Color | Edward Vicenzi (Smithsonian Institution) | |
| 10:30-11:00 | COFFEE BREAK | Learn Studio | |
| 11:00-11:10 | Intro to the Conservation Studios | Caitlin Breare (NGV) | TL2 |
| 11:10-11:40 | Plastics, resins and varnishes: FTIR- ATR in practice at the NGV | Raye Collins and Kasi Albert (NGV) | |
| 11:40-12:10 | Capturing Rembrandt Watermarks | Bonnie Hearn (NGV) | Paper studio |
| 12:10-12:30 | How Micro X-Ray Diffraction led to the discovery of the identity of the NGV's portrait of Lucrezia Borgia | Carl Villis (NGV) | TL2 |
| 12:30-1:30 | LUNCH | Learn Studio | |
| 1:30-2:00 | Cryogenic EPMA and luminescence of Rembrandt's grounds and pigments | Aaron Torpy (CSIRO) | Theatre |
| 2:00-2:30 | Nolan’s modern paints | Paula Dredge (University of Melbourne) | |
| 2:30-3:00 | High performance X-ray microscopy meets cultural heritage (with Trees and Boats) | Nick Phillips (CSIRO) | |
| 3:00-3:30 | COFFEE BREAK | Learn studio | |
| 3:30-4:30 | Closing session: Panel discussion and Q&A | Learn studio | |
Workshop coordinators
This workshop is coordinated by:
- Caitlin Breare, Conservator of Paintings, National Gallery of Victoria, and;
- Aaron Torpy, Microanalyst, CSIRO Mineral Resources.
Date and time
The workshop will be held on Tuesday the 10th of February, starting at 9:00am.
Getting to the workshop
Workshop images
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| Workshop attendees will tour the NGV conservation spaces. |
|---|
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| Conservator of Paintings, Caitlin Breare, cleaning and restoring a c1660 portrait of Rembrandt, attributed to his studio. |
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| The restored Studio of Rembrandt portrait. |
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| Some of the pigments used by the conservators at the NGV |
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| Using optical microscopy to examine artwork during conservation |
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| Cryogenic electron probe microanalysis of Rembrandt's Portrait of a white-haired man (1667) |