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Building conservation practical skills for Master of Conservation students

The Department of Conservation and Built Heritage is excited to highlight an off-site practical study opportunity currently underway for its final-year Master of Conservation students, specialising in the conservation of easel paintings. This semester, students are undertaking their practical training at the magnificent Archbishop Palace in Valletta, engaging directly with its fantastic historical art collection.

This project goes beyond classroom learning, immersing students in a real-world, dynamic setting. Their tasks include implementing basic preventive conservation care, performing detailed condition reporting and photo documentation, and developing treatment proposals. Key practical activities also include surface cleaning and conducting controlled tests and trials to remove deteriorated varnish layers from the selected paintings.

This collaboration represents a fantastic opportunity to strengthen the ties between the University and the heritage sector. We extend our sincerest gratitude to His Grace Mgr. Charles J. Scicluna, Archbishop of Malta, and to Fr Rev. Dr Nicholas Joseph Doublet HED, Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Theology, for facilitating this invaluable access and partnership. We are committed to further developing this collaboration, ensuring it continues to yield substantial benefits for the education of our students and to contribute directly to the long-term preservation and safeguarding of Malta’s artistic heritage.

Additionally, in keeping with the Department's commitment to actively work with its stakeholders for the benefit of the students, the practical study unit for the academic year 2024/2025 was conducted at the Heritage Malta conservation laboratory. Students benefited immensely from the expertise of the Heritage Malta conservation team, including the provision of laboratory space and artworks, to provide an authentic conservation experience. We would like to extend our gratitude to our colleagues at for hosting us and supporting the professional development of the new generation of conservators that the Department of Conservation and Built Heritage is mentoring.