Resilient Materials

Materiali resistenti. Indagini diagnostiche e beni culturali (Resilient Materials. Diagnostic Investigations and Cultural Heritage) is a six-episode video series presenting the work of the Arvedi Laboratory for Non-Invasive Diagnostics, part of the Degree Programme in Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage at the Department of Musicology and Cultural Heritage, University of Pavia. Through case studies presented by the Department’s faculty, the series shows how diagnostic techniques play a fundamental role in the study, conservation and enhancement of cultural heritage.

Each episode focuses on a different area of research, ranging from the rediscovery of a notebook by Carlo Emilio Gadda to the study of Beethoven’s autograph manuscripts, from the analysis of pigments in a mural painting to Stradivarian artefacts, as well as the manuscripts of Alessandro Manzoni and medieval musical manuscripts. The investigations carried out by the Arvedi Laboratory reveal materials, techniques and conservation processes, offering new research perspectives while highlighting the value of collaboration between the humanities, the sciences and conservation.

The video series is available in Italian and includes the following episodes:

• Gadda: Rediscovergin a Notebook
• Angels on the Ceiling: Pigments, Binders and Colours
• Beethoven’s Autograph Manuscripts: Revisions and Confirmations
• Stradivarian Artefacts: Many Inks, Many Hands
• Manzoni: Reading Beyond the Inks
• Medieval Parchments: Rediscovering Music

Founded in 2012 at the Museo del Violino in Cremona, the Arvedi Laboratory for Non-Invasive Diagnostics is a centre of excellence dedicated to the scientific study of cultural heritage. Initially established to investigate historical musical instruments, it has progressively expanded its expertise to include manuscripts, works of art, historical scientific instruments and other artefacts of historical and artistic significance.