This
project is about conservation treatment and research
on illuminated manuscripts in Germany, Czech and Poland.
The
restoration and conservation of manuscripts and book
illumination requires a detailed knowledge of materials
used and painting technique. To estimate better the
reasons and progress of damages it is necessary not
only to investigate damaged manuscripts but also those
well preserved. Palette and painting technique changed
in the course of time and the research of codices
representative for different scriptoria is the basis
for the knowledge of the specific techniques of certain
regions and times. These results can be important
for art historical research since they may offer further
indications for questions of dating and localization.
The
common project of the Fachhochschule Köln, the
Muzeum Narodowe Kraków and the Narodní
Kníhovna Praha will offer a platform to discuss
the specific conservational problems of some manuscripts
kept in Kraków and Praha. One focus lies on
a group of six manuscripts manufactured about 1070/90
AD and used for the coronation ceremonies of the Czech
King Vratislav 1086 and the kings of Poland. These
handwritings belong to the great treasures of Poland
and Czech and represent an intriguing example for
cultural exchange between these countries and the
manifestation of the Roman Catholic religion in opposite
to the greek orthodox church. They also show to a
more or less extent very specific conservational problems.
The painting technique using very few and apparently
also a rather weak binding medium causes losses of
paint layers which powder away or are abrased. The
use of a copper containing „gold“ ink
leads to copper corrosion which already has destroyed
parts of the parchment.
There is still some need for research on which would
be the best methods for conservation of these precious
endangered book. This research shall be carried out
in close cooperation of the partners. The participants
will communicate and exchange results and proposals
through this interface. Since the problems are of
broader interest for colleagues dealing with similar
problems and - regarding the high cultural value of
the manuscripts - also for a broader public, the results
will published also by internet.
