A basic knowledge of Italian, European, and world art history is required and basic notions of restoration and conservation

The course emphasizes the digital revolution as a tool for enhancing the study and understanding of historical and artistic heritage.

From a historical perspective, it provides a foundation of knowledge and a critical approach to the use of digital tools as diagnostic and predictive support in the restoration of artworks, as a tool for cataloging and sharing knowledge, and as a tool for adequately interpreting artworks in challenging conservation conditions.

The main objective of the course is to provide an understanding of the digital tools available today and their application to historical and artistic heritage, and how they can be used methodologically appropriately to support the knowledge, analysis, interpretation, and historical understanding of cultural heritage.

1. Understand the historical and artistic heritage using digital tools to represent data and information. 2. Critically interpret and analyze scenarios obtained from digitized or native digital sources. 3. Analyze, reuse, and appropriately disseminate GLAM (Galleries, Libraries, Archives, and Museums) digital heritage. 4. Understand the potential of digital restoration as a tool for diagnosing and interpreting works in poor condition.

Lectures.

During the lessons, students will be offered the opportunity to view and analyze iconographic material organized in PowerPoint presentations and short educational videos, which will be made available to students for exam preparation.

Written exam and presentation of a graphic design project

Wednesday, June 10, 2026

Wednesday, July 15, 2026

Wednesday, September 9, 2026

Monday, November 9, 2026

Available by appointment at the Department of Cultural Heritage. Please send an email to mariachiara.desantis@unisalento.it to arrange a meeting

Introduction to Cultural Heritage asset and to fine arts

Lessons will discuss diverse tools, including digital narratives, digital atlas, 3D models for exploring the links between heritage of different scales and digital materials of different formats.

Methods of Art Data Collection:

• Digital Imaging and Digitization

• Metadata Standardization (LIDO-XML)

• AI-Powered Annotation

Digital tecniques for documenting and preserving cultural heritage:

• 3D Depth Sensing and 3D laser Scanning

• Augmented Reality

• Digital Storytelling

• Hyperspectral imaging

• Reflectance Transformation Imaging

• Structure from Motion (SfM)

• Multiple View Stereovision

• Photogrammetry

• Structured light 3D Scanning

Bentkowsa-Kafel A., MacDonald L. (2017), Digital techniques for documenting and preserving cultural heritage

Unesco (2009), Charter on the Preservation of the Digital Heritage, adopted during the 32nd Session of the general Conference of UNESCO on 17 October 2003

https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000179529.page=2

https://culture.ec.europa.eu/it/cultural-heritage/cultural-heritage-in-eu-policies/european-digital-heritage

Supporting materials in both paper and digital formats will be distributed during class, and all images analyzed will be provided to students. Non-attending students should ensure that the texts indicated are combined with the textual and iconographic materials provided during class, requesting them directly from the instructor.