Conservation-Restoration
Fig 1.1 Meeting of the Conservation-Restoration WG at Nymphenburg Palace in Munich in September 2012; group photo in the Amalienburg together with Honorary Member Michael Petzet (on the left; photo ICOMOS, Conservation-Restoration WG).
The Conservation-Restoration Working Group of the German National Committee of ICOMOS was founded on 23 April 2010 in Munich, initially under the name Conservation-Restoration of Wall Paintings and Architectural Surfaces WG. The initiative for this was taken by a small group of ICOMOS members who are professionally involved, in practice and research, with conservation in the field of monument preservation. The foundation was promoted by the then ICOMOS President Michael Petzet.
Today, the Working Group Conservation-Restoration consists of about 20 experts from various fields of conservation as well as from art history and the natural and engineering sciences – the group is decidedly interdisciplinary. The WG is dedicated to theoretical and practical questions of conservation-restoration in the field of monument preservation. The focus is on World Heritage sites in Germany. With on-site assessments and recommendations for suitable conservation-restoration methods and techniques, the WG aims to contribute to the research and conservation of the surviving material stock of World Heritage sites. Aspects of material science and the documentation of historical techniques are relevant here, as is the history of use and restoration with its material traces on the cultural heritage. In order to preserve and sustainably safeguard historical substance, the Conservation-Restoration Working Group advocates continuous conservation monitoring as well as maintenance and care of World Heritage sites in Germany. It also deals with questions of their presentation and communication, especially with regard to the associated conservation and restoration challenges.
Today, the Working Group Conservation-Restoration consists of about 20 experts from various fields of conservation as well as from art history and the natural and engineering sciences – the group is decidedly interdisciplinary. The WG is dedicated to theoretical and practical questions of conservation-restoration in the field of monument preservation. The focus is on World Heritage sites in Germany. With on-site assessments and recommendations for suitable conservation-restoration methods and techniques, the WG aims to contribute to the research and conservation of the surviving material stock of World Heritage sites. Aspects of material science and the documentation of historical techniques are relevant here, as is the history of use and restoration with its material traces on the cultural heritage. In order to preserve and sustainably safeguard historical substance, the Conservation-Restoration Working Group advocates continuous conservation monitoring as well as maintenance and care of World Heritage sites in Germany. It also deals with questions of their presentation and communication, especially with regard to the associated conservation and restoration challenges.
Fig. 1.2. Non-contact examination of the choir screen of St. Michael in Hildesheim (Photo HAWK, Nicole Riedl)
Within ICOMOS Germany, the Conservation-Restoration Working Group has the task of advising on all conservation-restoration issues in the preventive monitoring of World Heritage sites in Germany, in cooperation with the World Heritage Monitoring Group. At the international level, the WG cooperates in particular with the International Scientific Committees (ISCs) of ICOMOS which deal with conservation-restoration. These include the ISC for Stone and the ISC Mural Paintings.
The WG cooperates with many specialist institutions in organising conferences on current conservation-restoration topics and in publishing conference proceedings. In recent years, these have included the VDR (Association of Restorers) as well as various conservation offices of the Länder and universities with courses and institutes that deal with restoration and the preservation of monuments. The topics of the conferences and publications are of equal interest to World Heritage sites and to the everyday challenges of restoration in heritage conservation practice.
The WG cooperates with many specialist institutions in organising conferences on current conservation-restoration topics and in publishing conference proceedings. In recent years, these have included the VDR (Association of Restorers) as well as various conservation offices of the Länder and universities with courses and institutes that deal with restoration and the preservation of monuments. The topics of the conferences and publications are of equal interest to World Heritage sites and to the everyday challenges of restoration in heritage conservation practice.
Fig. 1.3. Monitoring of the Ottonian cycle of wall paintings in St. Georg, Reichenau-Oberzell (photo Landesamt für Denkmalpflege Baden-Württemberg)
Fig. 1.4. Coffee break at the St. Paulikloster in Brandenburg an der Havel, during the conference "Non-invasive! New perspectives in the research and restoration of wall painting thanks to digital techniques", 27-30.04.2022
Fig. 1.5. Guided tour of the former library in the Brandenburg Domklausur, showing the mural painting cycle of the 1440s, during the conference "Non-invasive! New perspectives..." (Photos HAWK)
Fig. 1.6. Group photo at the Bavarian National Museum, at the meeting of the WG Conservation-Restoration in Munich, 28.04.23 (Photo ICOMOS, AG Conservation-Restoration)
One or two working meetings of the Conservation-Restoration WG are held annually, usually involving visits to and exchange on current restoration measures or the organisation and preparation of conferences as well as the elaboration of positions on a wide range of specialist issues.
Experts of all ages and professional backgrounds in the field of heritage conservation and restoration who would like to actively contribute their expertise to the interdisciplinary Conservation-Restoration Working Group are most welcome!
Spokesperson of the group: Prof. Dr. Dipl. Rest. Ursula Schädler-Saub; two representatives: Rest. Nadia Thalguter MA and Dr. Dipl. Rest. Wanja Wedekind
If you have any questions for the working group, please contact konservierung-restaurierung@icomos.de.
Experts of all ages and professional backgrounds in the field of heritage conservation and restoration who would like to actively contribute their expertise to the interdisciplinary Conservation-Restoration Working Group are most welcome!
Spokesperson of the group: Prof. Dr. Dipl. Rest. Ursula Schädler-Saub; two representatives: Rest. Nadia Thalguter MA and Dr. Dipl. Rest. Wanja Wedekind
If you have any questions for the working group, please contact konservierung-restaurierung@icomos.de.
