Appel à communication : « Technical Studies of paintings : problems of attribution (15th-17th century) » (Bruges, 11-13 septembre 2014)

In preparation of the XIXth Symposium for the Study of Underdrawing and Technology in Painting  to be held at Bruges, 11-13 September 2014, UCL (Louvain-la-Neuve), the Laboratoire d’Étude des œuvres d’art par les méthodes scientifiques (Musée de Louvain-la-Neuve) and Musea Brugge, in conjunction with the Royal Institute for Cultural Heritage (Brussels), its Centre for the study of the Flemish primitives, and Illuminare (Centre for the Study of Medieval Art, KULeuven), invite you to submit an abstract on the theme :

Technical Studies of paintings: problems of attribution (15th-17th century)

Attribution is a central question in art history. Since the introduction of new examination techniques such as radiography, infrared photography and reflectography, traditional art history has undergone major changes. Technical investigation can provide information that contributes to the attribution of works of art to artists or workshops. However, it often also reveals complex working methods that the art historian has to take into account. New scientific imagery on works of art can often force the reconsideration – if not reversal – of accepted attributions. This symposium will focus on the various ways in which technical studies can provide answers to the often complex issue of attribution and will discuss the challenges that art historians face in proposing conclusive theories.

The papers should be of interest to curators, art historians, conservators and scientists working mainly on painting in the Low Countries from the 15th to the 17th century. The authors of selected abstracts will present their papers at this international conference in Bruges. In addition to the paper presentations, there will be a special session dedicated to presentation of five-minute summaries of new technical projects held in different institutions.

We would be very grateful if you would send us a preliminary title and abstract (maximum 500 words) as soon as possible and at  the latest by 15 September 2013. A short notification on new technical projects should also be sent in order to plan the special session. The conference language will be English.

Anne Dubois (UCL), Till-Holger Borchert (Groeningemuseum/Musea Brugge), Christina Ceulemans (KIK/IRPA), Jan Van der Stock (KULeuven)

Proposals for papers should be sent by e-mail to : Anne Dubois (Université catholique de Louvain, Département d’histoire de l’art) — anne.dubois@uclouvain.be  — by 15 September 2013.
Postprints of the colloquium will be published.