LAB-NOTES

By Editorial Team

Published on 01 August 2026

3–5 minutes

We move through a world shaped by material culture that anchors our collective heritage, identity, and history. From paintings, photographs, manuscripts, and books, to sculptures, murals, and ceramics, these tangible artifacts are inherently vulnerable to deterioration, hence the challenge is imperative: how do we intervene to preserve the physical integrity, historical significance, and societal value of these objects for future generations?

In its broad sense, conservation is defined as an approach for long-term preservation of cultural heritage through different actions including examination, documentation, treatment, and preventive care, which are supported by research and education. (ICON 2026; AIC 2026) Antecedent to understanding conservation is understanding what constitutes cultural heritage. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) (n.d.) defines cultural heritage as

‘the legacy of physical artifacts, traditions, and practices that are passed down through generations within a community. It encompasses both tangible elements, such as monuments and artworks, and intangible aspects like folklore and rituals’.

In the context of tangible cultural heritage, conservation includes actions taken “with respect to its discovery, classing, storage, protection, and valorisation” (Sandu, I.C.A., Spiridon & Sandu, I. 2016, p. 594). Szczepanowska (2013, p. 8) also states that the ethical principle of “preserve and do not harm” is what guides conservation, emphasizing reversibility, minimal intervention, and the preservation of the objects’ integrity and authenticity.

For terminological clarity across countries and professional contexts, the International Council of Museums – Committee for Conservation (ICOM-CC) (2008), during its 15th Triennial Conference in New Delhi in September 2008, adopted the terms “preventive conservation”, “remedial conservation”, and “restoration” to constitute “conservation of tangible cultural heritage”:

  • Preventive conservation is defined as “all measures and actions aimed at avoiding and minimizing future deterioration or loss,” with such measures being indirect, non-invasive, and typically carried out within the environment or surroundings of an item or collection.
  • Remedial conservation comprises “all actions directly applied to an item or a group of items aimed at arresting current damaging processes or reinforcing their structure,” and is undertaken only when an object is in a fragile or deteriorating state.
  • Restoration consists of “all actions directly applied to a single and stable item aimed at facilitating its appreciation, understanding and use.” Oftentimes modifying the appearance of the object, restoration is only carried out “when the item has lost part of its significance or function through past alteration or deterioration.” An example would be retouching an oil painting to bring its appearance as close to the original as possible.

    Figure 1 illustrates the hierarchical structure of activities within the conservation discipline wherein preservation and restoration are two distinct activities that have different effects on a material (Muñoz-Viñas 2005, p. 25).

    Figure 1: Hierarchical structure of activities within the conservation discipline

    The Institute of Conservation (2021) highlights that while the terms “conservation” and “restoration” are often used interchangeably, it is essential to understand the difference between the two terms as they can have different outcomes (Figure 2).

    Figure 2: Conservation or Restoration?

    The American Institute for Conservation (AIC) (2026) emphasizes that conservators require highly extensive training and education, and as stewards of the profession, they must adhere to strict ethical practice. Conservators often specialize in specific material types, allowing them to have an increased understanding of their unique properties and focused expertise in their appropriate conservation treatments. Moreover, conservation is an interdisciplinary field that involves knowledge and skills from different disciplines, such as: chemistry, biology, materials technology, art history, archaeology, anthropology, and studio arts (Institute of Fine Arts, New York University n.d.).

    Conservation is a rigorous, ethical discipline rooted in scientific research and deep cultural, artistic, and historical respect. Expert professional intervention from conservators safeguards our tangible cultural heritage, ensuring that they remain accessible and continue to inform, educate, and inspire future generations.

    References