Conservation of Fine Art (Easel Paintings)
Entry requirements
Applicants should normally have a minimum of a 2:2 honours degree, usually in chemistry, physics, art history or fine art, although applicants from other related fields will also be considered.
Months of entry
September
Course content
The MA Conservation of Fine Art programme (Easel Paintings) will provide you all the knowledge and skills necessary for a career as an art conservator.
This postgraduate programme aims to provide you with advanced knowledge and skills in both practice and research for the conservation of easel paintings. Northumbria University’s Conservation of Fine Art MA is the only Master of Arts programme in the UK that offers the specialisms in both the conservation of Easel Painting or Works of Art on Paper.
Our Conservation of Fine Art Masters programme aims to develop your skills in critical awareness, research, ethics and philosophy, art history, conservation science and the care of collections, in addition to honing the meticulous practical skills necessary to become a conservator.
It is the combination of meticulous practical skill, a sound knowledge of science, and passion for the art and art history that makes this Masters programme of interest to those from both a science and arts background.
Integrating a mix of studio practice, science and art history, the programme covers a range of subjects. You will study studio practice, conservation theory and ethics, science, art history and technical art history, preventive conservation and research skills.
The Conservation of Fine Art MA Easel Painings is a vocational programme and on graduation you will have all the highly specialised knowledge and skills to formally enter the conservation profession.
In order to broaden your cultural perspective and enhance your practical learning experience, you will also have the opportunity to carry out a placement in the Summer recess. Students carry out placements in institutions in the UK and globally; a number of hosting institutions over the years have included the British Museum, the National Museum of Australia, Royal Ontario Museum Tate as well as a number of private conservation studios.
We welcome applications from students from a wide range of academic backgrounds. Students come from a range of backgrounds including Fine Art, Art History and the Sciences.
You may also be interested in Conservation of Fine Art (Works of Art on Paper), please click here for more information.
If you’d like to browse what other postgraduate programmes we offer or have any queries, please get in touch.
The role of the easel paintings conservator involves the general care, protection, repair and cleaning of works of art in oil, egg tempera, distemper, acrylic, or other media. This includes works of art on a great variety of supports, including canvas, board, wood panel and metals. A professional easel painting conservator could be involved with works of art as diverse as early medieval religious images to large contemporary artefacts, often in mixed media.
Extremely high levels of practical skill and intellectual understanding are required for both the treatment and analysis of historical and technical aspects of paintings. Detailed examination and technical interpretation of works of art forms the basis of working practice, enabling the professional paintings conservator to make informed treatment decisions. The collation and dissemination of historical and technical data stems from an in-depth understanding of the subject.
Opportunities for employment can be found in both the public sector, in museums and galleries, as well as within private studios. Professional easel painting conservators often liaise closely with a range of museum staff, including front of house, curatorial and interpretation officers, when preparing individual paintings or collections for exhibition, display, loan or long-term storage. Other diverse aspects of the work of an easel painting conservator might include preparing paintings for transportation, couriering works, assessing environmental conditions, surveying collections, report writing, planning and tendering for work, carrying out research and public speaking.
Information for international students
International applicants are required to have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 with 5.5 in each component (or approved equivalent).
Qualification, course duration and attendance options
- MA
- full time24 months
- Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
Course contact details
- Name
- Admissions Office
- bc.applicantservices@northumbria.ac.uk
- Phone
- 0191 227 4444