Conservation A Collaboration Between Art and Science

Abstract

This article presents an overview of the major causes of the decay of artifacts and antiquities. It summarizes various interactions of the environment with different types of artworks that lead to their eventual degradation. In their effort to preserve our heritage and comprehend the causes of decay, museums and art experts are increasingly utilizing the tools of science. Scientific analytical laboratories, equipped with “state of the art” instrumentation, have already become an integral part of some famous museums. This article also describes the development of a new trend in the art of modern conservation, which emphasizes the necessity of keeping the original intention of the artist intact and preserving the integrity of the artifact.