Art Technology, Preservation and Restoration of Artistic and Cultural Assets

Working on irrecoverable works of art requires fresh scientific and practical competence on the part of the restorers. The study programme Art Technology, Preservation and Restoration of Artistic and Cultural Assets at the Hochschule für Bildende Künste Dresden prepares students optimally for these challenges through its comprehensive, scientifically sound and practice-oriented curriculum.

The Restoration study programme has won its European-wide appeal owing to an innovative study programme and state-of-the-art studios and laboratories for research and teaching.

Restructuring of the teaching programme in the context of the Bologna Process has further sharpened the academic profile. The course of study uses proven training elements and consistently develops them further. The basic five-year course of study also meets the requirements of the European specialist organisations E.C.C.O. and ENCoRE, and leads directly to a diploma, which is equivalent to a Master’s degree.

The Dresden study programme is based on two pillars:

• The course of study responds to the constantly growing demands of the restoration industry by covering a range of subjects which are scientifically oriented. In addition to the core subjects of Preservation Science and Art Technology, instruction is also given in the subject-related fundamentals of science and art studies. Special emphasis is placed on enabling students to engage in the interdisciplinary cooperation required in the working career of a restorer.
• The second pillar of the course of study is practical instruction on how to examine, preserve and restore original works of art. External internships, summer schools and other on-site projects support studio apprenticeship in the academy.

This duality of scientific and practical competence provides the study programme graduates with an excellent start to their professional life. They work in museums, on monument preservation projects or do freelance work across Germany and internationally.

Since 2000, the academy has provided the option of pursuing a doctorate in the field of Art Technology and Preservation Science. This provides students with the opportunity to participate in research projects in the study programme.

Specialisations in the field of Art Technology, Preservation and Restoration are offered in three special classes:

• Mural Painting and Architectural Colours
• Painting on Mobile Picture Carriers
• Sculptures and Room Setting

Behma-Willhöft, Anna Dorothea

“Die Farben des Georg F. C. Frick (1781-1848) Alte Grundlagen zur neuen Datierbarkeit von Porzellanen der Königlich Preußischen Porzellan-Manufaktur Berlin (A.T.)” (The colours of Georg F. C. Frick (1781-1848) Old foundations for the new datability of porcelain objects in the Royal Porcelain Factory Berlin (A.T.))

Biber, Anna Maria

“Entwicklung der Farbgebung von Kunststoffen bis 1960” (Development of colouring of plastics up to 1960)

Holly, Marc

“Sammlungsgeschichte und Sammlungserhalt der Farbstoffsammlung Krefeld” (Collection history and collection preservation of the Krefeld dye collection)

Kammer, Monika

“Wissenschaftsgeschichtliche Studien zur Röntgenuntersuchung von Kunstwerken – Kunsttechnologische und restaurierungsgeschichtliche Neubewertung der Röntgenaufnahmen Kurt Wehltes in der «Schenkung Wehlte» des Archivs der Hochschule für Bildende Künste Dresden” (Scientific-historical studies on the X-ray examination of artworks – Re-evaluation in terms of art technology and restoration history of the X-ray images of Kurt Wehlte in “Wehlte Donation” in the archive of the Hochschule für Bildende Künste Dresden)         

Köberle, Thomas

“Die Farben des Georg F. C. Frick (1781-1848) Alte Grundlagen zur neuen Datierbarkeit von Porzellanen der Königlich Preußischen Porzellan-Manufaktur Berlin (A.T.)” (The colours of Georg F. C. Frick (1781-1848) Old foundations for the new datability of porcelain objects in the Royal Porcelain Factory Berlin (A.T.))

Konietzny, Mona

“Klebstoffgitter. Anwendung und Eigenschaften bei Verklebungen in der Gemälderestaurierung mit Fokus auf textilen Bildträgern” (Adhesive grids. Application and properties during adhesion in the restoration of paintings with a focus on textile picture carriers)

Leibe, Friederike

“Eine im Block geborgene erzbischöfliche Bestattung aus dem Magdeburger Dom – Kunsttechnologische Untersuchung und vergleichende Einordnung der Grabbeigaben mit besonderem Schwerpunkt auf den Textilien” (An archiepiscopal burial from the Magdeburg Cathedral that was salvaged in a block – Art technology examination and comparative classification of burial objects with special emphasis on textiles)

Menath, Jan

“Studien zur Wandmalerei des 15. und 16. Jahrhunderts in Bayerisch-Schwaben/Allgäu” (Studies of mural paintings from the 15th and 16th centuries in Bavarian Swabia/Allgäu)

Mösl, Kristina

“Zur Maltechnik Caspar David Friedrichs” (The painting technique of Caspar David Friedrich)

Snethlage, Mandy

“Studien zur Geschichte der Konservierung und Restaurierung von Naturstein in Deutschland, 1945 - 2005” (Study of the history of preservation and restoration of natural stone in Germany, 1945 - 2005)
More

Winkels, Alexandra

“Mörtel- und Putze in der alt-ägyptischen Wandmalerei und Architektur.
Eine vergleichende Untersuchung des Materialbestandes und der Werktechnologie mit Konservierungs- und naturwissenschaftlichen Methoden” (Mortar and plaster in ancient Egyptian mural paintings and architecture. A comparative examination of material inventory and work technology using preservation methods and methods from the natural sciences)

2019

Armgard Schrenk
From Rostock workshops?
Comparative art-technological investigations on seven wing retables around 1500

2018

Anna von Reden
Studien zum hygrischen Verhalten gealterter Leinwände (Study of the hygroscopic behaviour of aged canvases) (more)

2017

Thomas Krämer Originale und historische Firnisse auf Werken der Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister Kassel. Schichtenaufbau, Schadensformen und Schadensursachen, Restaurierungsproblematik (Original and historical varnishes on paintings of the Old Masters Picture Gallery Kassel – Layer sequence, types of damage and causes of damage, conservation issues) (more)

Andreas Buder
Die Chemilumineszenz-Ihre Anwendung in der Konservierungsforschung bei der Untersuchung der Stabilität eines Triterpen-Naturharzes (Chemiluminescence – Its application in preservation research when examining the stability of a triterpenoid natural resin) (Dissertation as PDF)

2015

Gabriele Schwartz
Die kirchlichen Werkstätten für Restaurierung in Erfurt 1952 bis 2002. Ein Beitrag zur Geschichte der Restaurierung. (The church workshops for restoration in Erfurt between 1952 and 2002. A contribution to the history of restoration)

Published as a workbook of the Thüringisches Landesamt für Denkmalpflege und Archäologie - Bau- und Kunstdenkmalpflege (Thuringian State Office for Monument Preservation and Archaeology – Preservation of Architectural and Art Monuments), new series 51, Erfurt/Altenburg 2017
ISBN 978-3-95755-027-9

Manijeh Hadian Dehkordi 
Air Quality in the Museum Environment Exemplary Investigations on Air Pollutants in Berlin, Teheran and Mumbai Museums. (more)

Wibke Neugebauer
Von Böcklin bis Kandinsky. Kunsttechnologische Forschungen zur Temperamalerei in München zwischen 1850 und 1914. (From Böcklin to Kandinsky. Art technology research on tempera painting in Munich between 1850 and 1914)
published in 2016 as BookOnDemand, 488 S.

2014

Bernadett Freysoldt
Kunsttechnologische Untersuchung der Polychromie der Bildwerke des Naumburger Westlettners. Erhebung, Sicherung und Interpretation der Befunde. (Art technology examination of the polychromy of the sculptures of the Naumburg Westlettner (Western Rood Screen). Investigation, securing and interpretation of the findings)

Beate Fücker
Bekleidete Bildwerke im deutschsprachigen Raum 1650 - 1850. (Dressed sculptures in the German-speaking regions between 1650 and 1850)

Daniela Karl
Die Polychromie der Naumburger Stifterfiguren. Kunsttechnologische Untersuchung der Farbfassungen des 13. und 16. Jahrhunderts. (The polychromy of Naumburg founder figures. Art technology examination of the colour schemes of the 13th and 16th centuries)

2013

Arnulf Dähne
Die Anwendung alkoholischer Calciumhydroxid- Nanodispersionen und Calciumsulfat- Dispersionen für die Konservierung von Putz,  Stuck und Malschichten. (The application of alcoholic calcium hydroxide nanodispersions and calcium sulphate dispersions for the preservation of plaster, stucco and paint layers)
(Dissertation as PDF Part 1) |  (Dissertation as PDF Part 2)

Anke Scharrahs
Polychrome Ausstattungen von Wohnräumen in syrischen Stadthäusern des 17. bis 19. Jahrhunderts. Zu Kunsttechnik und Erhaltungsfragen von ʿaǧamī-Interieurs. (Polychrome furnishings of living spaces in Syrian town houses between the 17th and 19th centuries. The artistic techniques and conservation issues of ʿaǧamī interiors) 

(Dissertation as PDF Part 1) | (Dissertation as PDF Part 2) | (Dissertation as PDF Part 3)

2012

Karoline Danz
Die erste Restaurierungswerkstatt der Denkmalpflege in der Provinz Sachsen unter der Leitung von Albert Leusch von 1925 bis 1945. (The first restoration workshop for monument preservation in the province of Saxony headed by Albert Leusch from 1925 to 1945)

Published as a publication of the Landesamt für Denkmalpflege und Archäologie Sachsen-Anhalt (State Office for Monument Preservation and Archaeology Saxony-Anhalt) in Beiträge zur Denkmalkunde, Volume 7, under the title:
Die hallesche Restaurierungswerkstatt unter Albert Leusch. Zur Geschichte der Restaurierung in der Denkmalpflege der Provinz Sachsen 1925-1945. (The restoration workshop headed by Albert Leusch in Halle. Restoration history in monument preservation in the province of Saxony between 1925 and 1945)
ISBN 978-3-939414-74-2

Nanke Schellmann
Consolidation of Stressed and Lifting Decorative Coatings on Wood – The effect of consolidant choice on the structural integrity of multilayered East Asian lacquer coatings with gesso-type foundation layers. 
(Dissertation as PDF)

Christoph Schölzel
Gemäldegalerie Dresden – Bewahrung und Restaurierung der Kunstwerke von den Anfängen der Galerie bis 1876. (Gemäldegalerie Dresden – Preservation and restoration of artworks from the establishment of the gallery up to 1876)

Ute Stehr
Johann Jakob Schlesinger (1792 – 1855) Künstler – Kopist – Restaurator. (Johann Jakob Schlesinger (1792 – 1855) Artist – Copyist – Restorer)

2011

Babette Hartwieg
Kunsttechnologische Analyse des Göttinger Barfüßerretabels von 1424 im Kontext zeitgenössischer norddeutscher Altarwerke. (Art technology analysis of the Göttinger Barfüßerretabel of 1424 in the context of contemporary North German altarpieces)

(Dissertation as PDF Part 1) |  (Dissertation as PDF Part 2) | (Dissertation as PDF Part 3)

Andreas Schulze
Goldleder zwischen 1500 und 1800 – Herstellung und Erhaltung. (Gold leather between 1500 and 1800 – Production and preservation)

Published in workbook 17 of the Landesamt für Denkmalpflege Sachsen (State Office for Monument Preservation Saxony), Dresden 2011
ISBN 978-3-86729-093-7
€ 25.00
Available in book stores or directly from the publisher: Sax-Verlag

2009

Corinna Gramatke
Drei spanische maltechnische Texte des Barock. Kommentierte Übersetzung ins Deutsche der Passagen aus Vicente Carducho, Diálogos de la pintura (1633), Francisco Pacheco, Arte de la pintura (1649) und Antonio Palomino, El museo pictórico y escala óptica (1715-24). (Three Spanish texts on Baroque painting techniques.

Annotated translation into German of the passages from Vicente Carducho, Diálogos de la pintura (1633), Francisco Pacheco, Arte de la pintura (1649), and Antonio Palomino, El museo pictórico y escala óptica (1715-24)) (Dissertation as PDF).

Stefanie Lindemeier
Studien zur Restaurierungsgeschichte mittelalterlicher Gewölbe- und Wandmalereien im Gebiet des heutigen Niedersachsen. Darstellung von historischen Methoden, Techniken und Materialien. (Study of the restoration history of medieval vault and mural paintings in the region of the present-day Lower Saxony. Presentation of historical methods, techniques and materials)

Published by Michael-Imhof-Verlag 2009
ISBN 978-3-7319-0024-5
€ 49.95

Alexandra Schieweck
Airborne Pollutants in Museum Showcases – Material emissions, influences, impact on artworks.
(Dissertation as PDF)

2008

Bettina Achsel
Das Manuale von Giovanni Secco Suardo von 1866/1894 Ein Schlüsselwerk zum Verständnis der Restaurierungsgeschichte des 19. Jahrhunderts (kommentierte Übersetzung). (The manual of Giovanni Secco Suardo from 1866/1894 Key work in understanding the restoration history of the 19th century (annotated translation))

2007

Heinrich Piening
Mobile UV-VIS-Absorptionsspektroskopie
Einsatzmöglichkeiten zur zerstörungsfreien Materialanalytik in der Konservierung und Restaurierung von Kunst- und Kulturgut. (Mobile UV-VIS absorption spectroscopy. Application in non-destructive material analysis for the preservation and restoration of artistic and cultural assets) (Dissertation as PDF)

Lisa Wagner
Fine Art Materials in Vigani's Cabinet, 1704, of Queens' College, Cambridge.
(Dissertation as PDF)

2006

Dieter Köcher
Einfluss von Rohmaterial und Herstellung natürlicher Krapplacke auf Farbigkeit und Lichtechtheit. (Impact of raw material and production of natural rose madder on colour and resistance to fading)
(Dissertation as PDF)

Jan Raue
Architekturfarbigkeit des Backsteinbaus. Eine vergleichende Studie an Stadt- und Klosterkirchen in der Mark Brandenburg. (Architectural colours of brick buildings. A comparative study of city churches and minsters in the Margraviate of Brandenburg)

Der Passionsaltar der Pfarrkirche St. Marien zu Güstrow - Historische und Technologische Studie (The Altar of passion in the parish church St. Marien zu Güstrow – Historical and technological study)

Edited by Catheline Périer-D’ieteren and Ivo Mohrmann

This book is the first monograph on the important but still relatively unknown Brabant retable of passion in the parish church of St. Marien zu Güstrow. The altar, consisting of a centre shrine and two double wings (paintings
and carvings), is one of the few surviving testimonies documenting the high quality of the 16th century workshops in Brussels. While the polychrome sculptures are works of the famous Borman dynasty (a soldier bears the signature of Jan Borman),
the paintings could be attributed to Bernard van Orley's successors.
The research was carried out by a team of Belgian and German scientists and restorers during the course of preservation and restoration work on the retable. It yielded many new insights, including the fact that previous conservation measures were carried out, such as those of
the famous restorer Alois Hauser. The technical production and stylistic execution of the sculptures and paintings were subjected to a thorough analysis. The infrared reflectograms of the six paintings taken by the Hochschule für Bildende
Künste Dresden made it possible to gain surprising insights concerning conceptual changes in particular and the work process of participating artists in general. The latest dendrochronological
examination results challenge the hitherto accepted dating of 1520-1522 and give rise to new considerations.

Publisher: Editechnart ASBL Editions & Diffusion Du Centre De Technologie De L'ULB

256 pages, 148 colour illustrations, French/German

Price: € 55.00
ISBN 9789461360458

Order form

Beiträge zur Tagung des Naumburg Kollegs vom 13. bis 15. Oktober 2011 in Naumburg/Saale (Papers from the Naumburg college conference between 13th and 15th October 2011 in Naumburg/Saale)

Edited by Thomas Danzl, Christoph Herm and Annemarie Huhn

In 21 papers, the conference transcript presents investigations on the colour of stone sculptures in German-speaking countries, including the works of the Naumburg master in Meissen, Mainz and Naumburg, pillar statues in the choir in the Cologne Cathedral, Bamberg Cathedral sculptures, sculptures of the Jüngere Magdeburger Werkstatt (New Magdeburg Workshop) in the Magdeburg Cathedral and the choir screens in Halberstadt. Together with other important documents from Austria, Croatia, France and Spain, the transcript highlights the current progress of research with a focus on historical setting techniques.

It views the above-mentioned examples from the point of view of specialist restoration, and aims to highlight art technology and cultural/scientific contexts against a national and European background.

Verlag Gunter Oettel Görlitz und Zittau
Format 21.0 x 29.7 cm, 254 pages, approx. 350 predominantly colour illustrations, brochure

ISBN 978-3-938583-73-9
Book price: € 60.00
Limited copies of the conference transcript are available at a subscription price of €42.

Contact person: Annemarie Huhn, huhn@hfbk-dresden.de

Mauersalze und Architekturoberflächen. Tagungsbeiträge. (Masonry salts and architectural surfaces. Conference papers)

Hochschule für bildende Künste Dresden 1st to 3rd February 2002. Edited by: Heinz Leitner, Steffen Laue, Heiner Siedel.
ISBN: 3-00-011829-2
€30 (plus €2 for shipping)
Can be ordered via the Restoration study programme by writing to: 
moewald@hfbk-dresden.de 

Adina Rieckmann (Technical Communication and Public Relations)

Andreas Holfert (SKD, Mathematisch-Physikalischer Salon, Technical Cultural Assets and Art Chamber Pieces)

Dipl. Rest. Marina Langner (Gilder Class)

Dipl.-Ing. York Rieffel, M.A. (Graffiti Protection, Vandalism/Care and Maintenance)

Dipl.-Rest. Christine Kelm (LfD Dresden (State Office for Monument Preservation), Excursion/Monument Preservation)

Dipl.-Rest. Daniela Hedinger (Stitching of Torn Canvas Paintings)

Dipl.-Rest. Eric Stenzel (Lasers in Preservation/Restoration)

Dipl.-Rest. Gabriele Hilsky (Excursion)

Dipl.-Rest. Heike Pfund (Mural Painting on Clay Carriers, Restoration in the International Context)

Dipl.-Rest. Johannes Schäfer (Recent Developments in the Preservation of Wooden Picture Carriers)

Dipl.-Rest. Karsten Püschner (Decontamination, Extraction of Oils from Wooden Sculptures)

Dipl.-Rest. Katja Mieth (Sächsische Landesstelle für Museumswesen, Introduction to Collections and Exhibitions)

Dipl.-Rest. Luise Schreiber (Stucco Model Ceiling)

Dipl.-Rest. Manfried Eisbein (LfD Dresden (State Office for Monument Preservation), Material Science, Material History, Decontamination)

Dipl.-Rest. Marie-Luise Reinecke (Mortar Seminar)

Dipl.-Rest. Renate Kühnen (Wood and Textile Fibre Determination)

Dipl.-Rest. Stephanie Hilden (Recent Developments in the Preservation of Textile Picture Carriers)

Dipl.-Rest. Susan Nitsche (Stucco Consolidation)

Dipl.-Rest. Sylvia Lenzner (Occupational Health and Safety)

Dr. Thomas Krämer (Gemäldegalerie Kassel, Restoration History, Microscopic Documentation Drawing)

Dipl.-Rest. Thomas Schmidt (Business Studies)

Dipl.-Rest. Torsten Nimoth (Restoration History of Mural Painting in Saxony)

Dipl.-Rest. Ullrich Lang (MMK Frankfurt, Preservation of Contemporary Art)

Dipl.-Rest. Ute Hack (Bavarian National Museum, Introduction to Collection and Exhibition)

Dipl.-Rest. Uwe Bennke (Work Stages in Restoration)

Dr. Albrecht Pohlmann (Photosensitive Materials)

Prof. Dr. Andrea Pataki-Hundt (Stuttgart State Academy of Art and Design, Preservation of Paint Layers with Aerosols)

Dr. Babette Hartwieg (SMB, Rubens’ Wooden Panels)

Dr. Christoph Schölzel (SKD, Restoration History)

Dr. des. Arnulf Dähne (Planning, Inventorying, Room Booking)

Dr. Elisabeth Rüber-Schütte (Mural Paintings in Late Antiquity and the Early Middle Ages)

Dr. Eloy F. Koldeweij (Art History)

Dr. Eva Reinkowski-Häfner M.A. (Mural Painting in the 19th Century)

Dr. Gabriele Schwartz (National Museum Hanover, Restoration History)

Dr. Hartmut Ritschel (LfD Dresden (State Office for Monument Preservation), Monument Preservation)

Dr. Jan Raue (VDR President, Restoration History)

Dr. Jürgen Pursche

Dr. Karoline Danz (LA für Denkmalpflege und Archäologie Sachsen-Anhalt (State Office for Monument Preservation and Archaeology Saxony-Anhalt), Restoration History)

Dr. Manfred Koller (Special Topics: Porch Roofs)

Dr. Michael Panzner (Fraunhofer IWS, Lasers in Restoration)

Dr. Petra Schilling (TU Dresden, Occupational Health and Safety)

Dr. Stephan Pfefferkorn (Building Material Science)

Dr. Timo Trümper (Art History)

Dr. Ute Stehr (Gemäldegalerie Berlin, Restoration History)

Heike Ulbricht (SKD, Porcelain Collection)

Johanna Lang (Wax Objects)

Katrin Tauber (Monument Preservation)

Klaus Häfner (Ceiling Construction)

Mathias Staschull (Special Topics: Würzburg)

Nicole Czerwinka (Technical Communication and Public Relations)

Olaf Simon (SKD, Kupferstichkabinett, Paper Restoration)

Prof. Dr. Heiner Siedel (Engineering Petrography and Stone Preservation)

Prof. Dr. Karin Petersen (HAWK Hildesheim/Holzminden/Göttingen, Microbiology)

Prof. Dr. phil. Ivo Hammer, Retired (Salts)

Prof. Dr. Sabine Thümmler (Art History)

Prof. Marlies Giebe (Retouch)

Rainer Richter (SKD, Green Vault, Treasury Art)

Roxana Naumann (Textile Wall Coverings)

Thomas Köberle (TU Dresden, Petrographic Microscopy)

Thomas Kübler (Stadtarchiv Dresden, Archival and Source Studies)

Prof. Dr. Angelica Dülberg, Landesamt für Denkmalpflege Sachsen (State Office for Monument Preservation Saxony)

Prof. Erich Gantzert-Castrillo

Prof. Marlies Giebe, Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden

Prof. Dr. Manfred Koller

Prof. Ursula Kral, Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden

Prof. Dr. Heinrich Magirius

Dr. Jürgen Pursche, Bayerisches Landesamt für Denkmalpflege (Bavarian State Office for Monument Preservation)

Prof. Dr. Heiner Siedel, TU Dresden

Prof. Ingo Timm, former Märkisches Museum Berlin