The Changing Role of the Metal Conservator

Abstract

in provides a good understanding of materials, their deterioration, and the scientific procedures required for complex treatments. A new generation of formally trained conservators has learned from an older generation of many autodidacts and their research, sparking a transition from craftsperson to academic practitioner with equal emphasis on academic and manual skills. This combination of scholar and practitioner has proven to be valuable for the understanding of objects, result-ing in interesting new insights. Today’s metal conservator is, for example, more and more involved with the art-technological aspects of objects and has a better awareness of relevant materials and techniques. With an increased knowledge of those material aspects, the modern conservator is also more alert to the impact of past and current treatments. As a result, conservators are to use interventive treatments and approach such actions with