The article “A disciplina/profissão de conservação-restauro: uma ciência recente e o seu desenvolvimento em Portugal” delves into the emergence and evolution of conservation-restoration as a modern science in Portugal.
It traces the roots of this discipline back to the late 19th century and highlights its increased recognition following the 1930 international conference in Rome, organised by the International Office of Museums of the League of Nations. It also discusses the influence of Anglo-Saxon countries like England and the United States – through their leading publishing activity – on the scientific and ethical aspects of conservation, shedding light on the development of the profession in Western Europe.
The article also addresses the challenges faced in Portugal due to overlapping terminology and the lack of adequate supervision by the state in safeguarding cultural heritage, and presents two tables on the evolution panorama of the conservation movement in some Western countries.
Finally, it emphasises the discrepancy between the abundance of higher education offerings in conservation-restoration and the limited job opportunities in the public sector, leading to a predominantly private practice. The article concludes by underscoring the need for improved supervision and evaluation of conservation-restoration works to meet legal requirements and ensure the preservation of cultural heritage in Portugal.
