restauració

Restauració is the discipline concerned with the preservation, stabilization, and, when appropriate, restoration of cultural heritage objects and sites. Its aim is to protect physical integrity, preserve historical meaning, and maintain legibility for current and future generations.

The scope covers movable objects such as paintings, sculptures, manuscripts, and textiles; architectural monuments; archaeological finds; and cultural landscapes. Work ranges from preventive conservation to active restoration, depending on the object's condition, significance, and intended use.

Typical processes include initial survey and condition assessment; diagnosis of deterioration mechanisms; development of a conservation plan; stabilization and consolidation; cleaning; repair and inpainting; and, when justified, reconstruction. A core ethical principle is to minimize intervention, favor reversibility, ensure material compatibility, and document all actions comprehensively. Modern practice often favors reversible methods and the retention of the original material whenever possible.

Standards are guided by international charters and professional organizations. The Venice Charter of 1964, ICOMOS guidelines, and ICOM-CC principles influence practice. Conservator-restorers collaborate with curators, archaeologists, architects, and scientists, and typically receive specialized training in conservation science, art history, or archaeology.

In Catalan-speaking contexts, the term restauració is used to describe these activities, reflecting the close link between conservation and restoration in protecting cultural heritage. The field continues to balance authenticity, public access, and long-term preservation amid evolving materials, techniques, and environmental challenges.