AIC Funded - Microscopy for the Conservator of Art & Artifacts
AIC Funded Course – AIC Members pay a reduced tuition amount of $ 800.
This program is supported in part by the Foundation of the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works.
This course is intended for conservators of art objects, especially paintings, but also textiles and paper.
This course will be held in New York at New York University – Conservation Center of the Institute of Fine Arts.
Visit the NYU website for registration information.
There is no prerequisite for this course, and it satisfies the same prerequisites as course 1201.
AIC Funded Course – AIC members receive $400 off tuition
Dates Offered: December 13-17, 2010
COURSE OUTLINE & SYLLABUS
This course covers the core polarized light microscopy curriculum and methods of sampling, characterization and identification of pigments, grounds, media and fibers.
There is no prerequisite for this course, and it satisfies the same prerequisites as course 1201.
Day 1:
Optics, reflection, refraction, contrast, resolution, numerical aperture, refractive index, crystal morphology and microchemical tests.
Identification, function, adjustment, care and cleaning of the polarized light microscope components.
Koehler illumination, micrometry, measuring particle size, fiber diameters, pigment particle size and layer thickness.
Day 2:
Single polar crystal optics, refractive indices, methods of measurement, Becke line, pleochroism, dispersion staining.
Day 3:
Crossed polar crystal optics, birefringence, compensators, Michel-Levy chart, sign of elongation and extinction.
Fiber characteristics (vegetable, animal and man-made).
Day 4:
Sampling and mounting techniques, use of atlases and reference standards, identification of pigments (particle shape, surface, cleavage, isotropy, anisotropy, refractive index, Becke line, color, pleochroism, birefringence, etc.).
Identification of media, surface coatings and glue.
Study of paintings, selection area, sampling and mounting techniques (cross sections and crushings), characterization and identification.
Microminiaturization and analytical procedures (ultramicrochemistry, micro solubility, micro density, micro refractive index, micro grinding, micro x-ray diffraction, particle-picking, micro extraction).
Day 5:
Photomicrography (illumination, selection and preparation of sample, precise focusing, exposure measurement and control).
Special methods (phase, interference, fluorescence, electron microscopes, microprobes, chromatography, emission spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and dating methods).
Note: This course runs Monday-Friday with class ending at noon on Friday.