Martin,

That terminology sounds different to me. What we commonly do is to
describe and somewhat quantify an object's, artifact's, or artwork's
condition.

Often when doing a condition assessment a conservator will break it
down into categories such as structural, physical, surface, chemical,
and biological. We also will give the condition an overall rating:
often from 1  to 5 , that is a handy management tool for assessing the
conservation needs for a large collection or grouping of objects,
artifacts, or artworks.

In the big picture we are seeking to determine which objects are
stable and which are not - as well as to note any apparent aesthetic
issues that may be more of a concern for an artwork that is to be
exhibited. We use that information to note how an object should be
stored or exhibited and also whether it is suitable for loan and
travel.

Of course other professionals have different perspectives in their
view of damages. A curator and an appraiser will "see" damages in a
different way than a conservator as well as a director or an
administrator. Thus, the meaning of damages can be very different
between different people.

Cheers!
Dave

David Harvey
Conservator
Los Angeles, California  USA


On 10/3/06, Dipl.-Rest. Univ M.Pracher <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
>
> Good day again,
>
> does anyone of this list has experience in using the term "quality of
> damage" for describing the "meaning of a damage for an artwork".
> Who can give me a correct definition for this term?
>
> Thank you,
>
> Martin Pracher
> www.kunst-gutachter.de
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