Non-Invasive Digital Techniques. New Prospects in the Research and Restoration of Wall Paintings

Interdisciplinary conference of the HAWK (Faculty of Engineering and Conservation and Hornemann Institute) in cooperation with the Brandenburg State Office for the Preservation of Historical Monuments and the Archaeological State Museum and the Domstift Brandenburg

27th to 30th April 2022 | Archaeological State Museum in the Paulikloster, Neustädtische Heidestraße 28, 14776 Brandenburg a. d. Havel

The Faculty of Architecture, Engineering and Conservation and the Hornemann Institute organised an interdisciplinary conference in Brandenburg an der Havel from 27 to 30 April under the motto "Non-invasive". The HAWK in Hildesheim icooperated with the Brandenburg State Office for the Preservation of Historical Monuments and the Brandenburg State Archaeological Museum as well as the Brandenburg Cathedral Chapter.

Almost all historical works of art have survived in fragments: Dealing with these fragments, their research, preservation and communication are therefore among the central tasks of conservators, archaeologists, art historians, architects and monument conservationists.

By now, radiation-diagnostic imaging techniques and digital possibilities of visualisation and simulation offer us increasingly efficient tools for the research, virtual completion and mediation of fragmentary works. Above all, however, they offer us new, non-invasive techniques, i.e. techniques that do not interfere with the substance.
The conference did not offer only a practice-oriented overview of these innovative techniques and their possible applications, but also the opportunity to discuss them directly with users. It focused on the research and presentation of mural painting, because it is precisely this genre of art that is now often only poorly legible and difficult to understand because of climate change, vandalism, conversions and redesigns etc.

The lecturers came from the specialist disciplines of conservation-restoration, art history, monument preservation, building research, metrology/photography and the natural sciences.

The first lectures focused on the results of the restoration science project led by Prof. Dr. Ursula Schädler-Saub (HAWK) on the late Gothic wall painting cycle in the Cathedral cloister of Brandenburg an der Havel. The focus was on the newly developed methods and techniques of recording and visualising the fragmentary. The possibilities of their profitable interdisciplinary use have been put up for discussion. Among other things, the results of research into the historical painting technique have been be presented - it was an unusually elaborate secco technique using precious pigments.

The second day's speakers presented other current projects for the research, visualisation and presentation of fragmentary artworks by means of radiation-diagnostic imaging techniques, e.g. using multispectral analysis. In order to stimulate a discussion about the possibilities and limitations of the various methods and techniques, examples from the field of sculpture have also been included. In addition, an open-source technique has been presented that can also be used very well for smaller projects.

In the final discussion, experts from different professions summarised the most important considerations and venture a look into the future in the discussion with the auditorium.
A public lecture explained new art-historical findings on the mural cycle in the former library of the Brandenburg Cathedral cloister and illustrate the enormous cultural-historical significance of the cycle.

A book with the results of the restoration science on the late Gothic wall painting cycle on the sciences and arts in the Cathedral cloister of Brandenburg an der Havel accompanies the conference.

Excursions
The conference has been framed by joint visits to medieval wall paintings in the city of Brandenburg and its proximity. The conference began on the afternoon of 27 April with a walk from St. Katherine's via St. John's to the Cathedral cloister. On April 30, there was an excursion to medieval wall paintings in the Mark Brandenburg: Plaue city church, bishop's residence Burg Ziesar, Jüterbog Nikolaikirche (and Franziskanerklosterkirche). Exits for onward journey: Jüterbog train station (approx. 15.30 h), Berlin Südkreuz train station (approx. 16.45 h).
 

The conference has been funded by the Niedersächsisches Vorab.