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University of Glasgow: Art History: Technical Art History, Making and Meaning
| Institution | University of Glasgow View institution profile |
|---|---|
| Department | College of Arts and Humanities |
| Web | glasgow.ac.uk |
| christina.young@glasgow.ac.uk | |
| Telephone | 0141 330 4515 |
| Study type | Taught |
MLitt
Summary
The Masters focuses on the act of making and everything that encompasses: materials, techniques, intentions, context and concept. You will study treatises and other testimonies on artistic practice and reconstruct historical recipes and modern techniques to understand artists' materials, practices and aesthetic choices. You will develop transferable skills and a thorough understanding of the science and conservation that supports the interpretation of artworks. You will learn about the change and preservation of cultural heritage, as well as exploring issues of authenticity. Technical art history is an exciting and rapidly growing field involving art historians, scientists and conservators, which also branches out to economics, social history and philosophy.
WHY THIS PROGRAMME
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You will study objects and artefacts, interacting with professionals and academics from the Hunterian Museum & Art Gallery, Glasgow Museums, National Galleries of Scotland, as well as national and international institutions linked to research projects at the Kelvin Centre.
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You will be part of the Kelvin Centre for Conservation and Cultural Heritage Research. Our research and training facilities include photography, microscopy, UV imaging, Infra-Red Reflectography, FTIR, pXRF, Raman, HPLC, RTI, contact profilometers, uniaxial and biaxial tensile testers, ageing ovens (thermal and light), 3D printing and dyeing.
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You will have access to the Hunterian Study Centre at Kelvin Hall, offering an exceptional opportunity for research-led, object-based learning and cross-disciplinary research.
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You have the opportunity to complete a work placement, where you can explore a possible future career while meeting professional practitioners and developing your skills and experience.
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You will benefit from guest speakers from technical art history, conservation, artist studios and the museum profession: broadening your horizons, offering you networking opportunities, and research contacts.
-
You will participate in reconstruction workshops of painting techniques, as well as workshops on the reconstruction of pigment recipes and scientific examination techniques.
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You can take a study trip to Amsterdam, London, Madrid or Munich, visiting major museums and their conservation studios and research labs, as well as research institutions working in the field of technical art history.
PROGRAMME STRUCTURE Drawing upon the expertise of an interdisciplinary team, the programme includes taught and research components. You will take five core courses and one optional course, followed by a period of object-based research towards a dissertation.
Core Courses RESEARCH METHODS AND SKILLS ART IN THE MAKING: HISTORICAL TECHNIQUES ART IN THE MAKING: MODERN & AVANT-GARDE TECHNIQUES THE AUTHENTIC ART WORK: INTERPRETATION, CONSERVATION, PRESENTATION. TESTIMONIES ON ARTISTS' PRACTICE: DOCUMENTARY AND VISUAL SOURCES
Work Placement Students complete a work placement as part of the programme, and to date, we have been able to provide placements for all students, as this is the usual and preferred option. However, as an alternative, students may take a suitable course from those offered by the College of Arts & Humanities, subject to availability and the approval of the programme convenor.
Dissertation DISSERTATION
CAREER PROSPECTS The programme will enable you to work with collections within cultural heritage organisations, or in a commercial environment in the fields of technical art history, curation and collections care. The programme will also prepare you for a further postgraduate education in conservation or academic research.
| Level | SCQF Level 11 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | 2.1 Hons (or non-UK equivalent) in History of Art, Fine Art, History or Archaeology. Other Arts subjects are also accepted. We may also accept degrees in Science and Engineering programmes. Work experience in museum curation or conservation may be considered in lieu of qualifications. A personal statement and CV should be submitted with your application. A writing sample of 2000-3000 words is also required. |
| Location | Gilmorehill (Main) Campus University Of Glasgow University Avenue Glasgow G12 8QQ |
Summary
The Masters focuses on the act of making and everything that encompasses: materials, techniques, intentions, context and concept. You will study treatises and other testimonies on artistic practice and reconstruct historical recipes and modern techniques to understand artists' materials, practices and aesthetic choices. You will develop transferable skills and a thorough understanding of the science and conservation that supports the interpretation of artworks. You will learn about the change and preservation of cultural heritage, as well as exploring issues of authenticity. Technical art history is an exciting and rapidly growing field involving art historians, scientists and conservators, which also branches out to economics, social history and philosophy.
WHY THIS PROGRAMME
-
You will study objects and artefacts, interacting with professionals and academics from the Hunterian Museum & Art Gallery, Glasgow Museums, National Galleries of Scotland, as well as national and international institutions linked to research projects.
-
You will have access to the Hunterian Study Centre at Kelvin Hall, offering an exceptional opportunity for research-led, object-based learning and cross-disciplinary research.
-
You have the opportunity to complete a work placement, where you can explore a possible future career while meeting professional practitioners and developing your skills and experience.
-
You will benefit from guest speakers from technical art history, conservation, artist studios and the museum profession: broadening your horizons, offering you networking opportunities and research contacts.
-
You will participate in reconstruction workshops of painting techniques, as well as workshops on the reconstructions of pigment recipes and scientific examination techniques.
-
You can take a study trip to Amsterdam, Madrid or Munich, visiting major museums and their conservation studios and research labs, as well as research institutions working in the field of technical art history
PROGRAMME STRUCTURE Drawing upon the expertise of an interdisciplinary team, the programme includes taught and research components. You will take five core courses and one optional course, followed by a period of object-based research towards a dissertation.
Core Courses RESEARCH METHODS AND SKILLS ART IN THE MAKING: HISTORICAL TECHNIQUES ART IN THE MAKING: MODERN & AVANT-GARDE TECHNIQUES THE AUTHENTIC ART WORK: INTERPRETATION, CONSERVATION, PRESENTATION. TESTIMONIES ON ARTISTS' PRACTICE: DOCUMENTARY AND VISUAL SOURCES
Optional Courses INDEPENDENT STUDY WORK PLACEMENT
Dissertation DISSERTATION CAREER PROSPECTS The programme will enable you to work with collections within cultural heritage organisations, or in a commercial environment in the fields of technical art history, curation and collections care. The programme will also prepare you for a further postgraduate education in conservation or academic research.
| Level | SCQF Level 11 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | A minimum 2.1 in History of Art or equivalent subject. Applications from science and engineering are welcome and will be assessed on a case by case basis. |
| Location | Gilmorehill (Main) Campus University Of Glasgow University Avenue Glasgow G12 8QQ |
The University of Glasgow is one of the UK’s most prestigious seats of learning, and the fourth oldest university in the English speaking world. Established in 1451 and recognised for its world-changing research and teaching, our people have always been at the forefront of innovation, including eight Nobel Laureates, two UK Prime Ministers, three First Ministers of Scotland, 10 Fellows of the Royal Society and 11 Fellows of the British Academy. Our past achievements inspire our current world changers.
Rankings
The University:
- is ranked 79th in the world: QS World University Rankings 2025
- is …
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