Conservation and research
We operate as a national centre of excellence in the conservation and restoration of artworks, combining practical aspects with technical-scientific and art historical research.
11
Restoration
departments
2
Cross-area
services
4
Scientific
laboratories
Restoration departments
The Institute’s activities are divided into eleven restoration and research departments each specialised in a specific art medium. All restoration laboratories detail their activities as well as the main restoration work, in progress and completed.
Cross-area services
Two cross-area services support the eleven restoration departments: the first is in charge of the archaeological heritage, while the second deals with contemporary artworks. These offer specific technical and scientific expertise for restoration, conservation, and research projects on items under the categories above.
Scientific laboratories
Established in 1975, the scientific laboratories carry out both diagnostics on artworks under restoration at the OPD and research in the field of conservation science. Their tasks are carried out with the close involvement of the restoration departments, the cross-area services, and the Institute’s Higher Education School (SAFS – Scuola di Alta Formazione e Studio) for the Conservation of Cultural Heritage. The laboratories also cooperate with various research institutions (universities and the CNR), and are divided into 4 directorates, each with its own specificity.
Documentation services
The Documentation Services support the restoration departments, the cross-area services, the scientific laboratories, and the SAFS. These consist of the Photographic Laboratory, which produces and stores the photographic documentation for the various phases of the Institute’s conservation and restoration work; the OPD Archive, made up of the Restoration and Photographic Records and the Historical Records; and the Ugo Procacci Library, whose catalogue can be consulted online in the OPAC of the IRIS Association.
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Special guided tours organised by the “Associazione Amici dell’Opificio”.
Requests for guided tours of the restoration laboratories should be addressed to the secretariat of the Association writing an email to: annalisa.innocenti@amiciopificio.org. For information, please ring +39 055 2651314 (Tuesdays and Wednesdays).
A fee is required per group and per visit and should be paid in advance by bank transfer to the Association.