The online course Conservation and Restoration Techniques – Polychrome Wood Sculpture offers a comprehensive and practice-oriented approach to the study of historical polychrome surfaces on wooden sculptures.
Participants will explore essential restoration techniques applied to polychrome wood, including diagnostic methods, material identification, cleaning strategies, consolidation processes, reintegration criteria, and ethical decision-making frameworks.
Designed to bridge theory and professional practice, this course provides clear methodologies grounded in conservation principles, international standards, and real-case applications. Whether you are beginning your training or refining your expertise, this program delivers structured and reliable knowledge for responsible intervention.
Language: English.
Also available in: Português | Español
About the online course Conservation and Restoration Techniques polychrome wood sculpture
You will learn all the stages of intervention in a systematic way, from the fundamental principles, the analysis of production techniques, the diagnosis of pathologies and the restoration techniques applicable to polychrome wood sculpture.
Examples of the restoration techiques of sacred images are presented, but with methodologies applicable to various types of gilded and polychrome wood artworks.
The course price includes lifetime 24/7 access to:
- Lessons for each program topic
- Tutorial videos
- Work instructions
- Case study analysis
- Evaluation (1 final quiz)
- Certificate.
Learning objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
-
Understand the historical and material complexity of polychrome wood sculpture
-
Identify deterioration mechanisms affecting wooden supports and polychrome layers
-
Apply appropriate restoration techniques for cleaning, consolidation, and reintegration
-
Select compatible materials based on scientific and ethical criteria
-
Develop structured intervention proposals aligned with conservation standards
-
Critically evaluate case studies in conservation and restoration
Through the analysis of real interventions carried out by restoration technicians on real works, you will learn about the intervention methods, techniques and materials applicable in different situations.
Who should take the online course Restoration Techniques on polychrome wood sculpture ?
Art restorers and art conservators.
The online course with international certificate Restoration Techniques on polychrome wood sculpture is intended for all those who have polychrome wood sculptures in their custody (museums, churches, antique dealers, private individuals, etc.);
Those who have responsibility for commissioning conservation and restoration projects
Technicians who, already working in this field, wish to systematize knowledge and exchange ideas in this area.
Students of the art restoration area and museology.
Those who wish to start a professional career or pursue studies in the field of heritage conservation.
To all those who are interested in this field.
No access requirements.
Certificate
A training certificate will be issued at the end of the course. Find out more.
We are a training organisation certified by DGERT – Training Organisation Certificate No. 1800/2015 – meaning that the certificate is valid internationally.
How it works
Course structure – Conservation and restoration techniques on polychrome wood sculpture
1 – Conservation – Concepts and ethical principles
1.1 – Concept of conservation
- Preventive conservation
- Remedial conservation
- Restoration
1.2 – Process of intervention
- Analysis and survey of the state of conservation
- Formulation of the conservation and restoration intervention project
- Registration
1.3 – Key intervention principles
2 – Preventive Conservation
- Goals and benefits
- Good practice guide for the preservation of works of art
3- Support and Decoration
3.1 – Wood as a support
- Characteristics of wood
- Cutting and assembly
- Carving
3.2 – Polychromy and decoration
- Preparation
- Decorative techniques
4 – Conservation and restoration techniques
4.1 – Criteria and principles of intervention
4.2 – Previous procedures
- Characterization
- Analysis and diagnosis
4.3 – Intervention methodology
- Support treatment
- Treatment of surface layers
- Pre-fixing and fixing
- Consolidation
- Cleaning
- Filling gaps
- Chromatic reintegration
