Analysis and conservation of modern modeling materials found in Auguste Rodin's sculptures

Prior to the exhibition Portrait-making, Rodin and his models (2009), the Rodin museum wanted to restore two busts of Hanako and Clemenceau. Interestingly, these two sculptures contain pieces of modern modeling materials (MMMs) invented at the end of the nineteenth century as an alternative to clay or waxes. The poor state of conservation of the two portraits made any handling and exhibition impossible. Accordingly, the purpose of this article is twofold: to contribute to technical art history and conservation. Elemental and chemical analyses were done on samples from 12 sculptures (SEM–EDX, FTIR, GC–MS, GC–FID, XRD, synchrotron-based µXRF, µXANES, and µFTIR) aimed at identifying the composition of MMMs used by Rodin on plaster sculptures and establishing hypotheses about the origins of their degradation. This thorough study of their composition and degradation was necessary to implement an appropriate restoration plan. The development of conservation protocols adapted to such materials is rarely documented. Different tests were performed on mock-ups (pH, solubility, adhesion, consolidation, and cleaning). In particular, a protocol based on laser cleaning was developed and successfully applied to remove superficial dust and crusts so that the sculptures regained their original aspect.     

理学人格对宋代山水画审美理想的影响

宋代理学家们所倡导的理想人格不仅仅是社会伦理的内涵,它包含着宋人对人生形而上的思考。虽然山水画学中的“理”和理学的“理”含义不完全相同,但它无疑是理学这个时代强音中的一个音符。画家笔下的层峦叠嶂、烟柳渔浦、寒林远水表达的是创作主体对世界与人生的思考,以有形之象呈现内在之理,画家在“理趣”的玩味中得到性情的陶染和灵魂的提升。宋代山水精、妙、神、逸诸品众多当与其兼备理、气、趣有着直接关系。而理、气、趣又来自创作主体所受到的理学人格的薰陶。宋代山水画取得的辉煌成就,不能无视宋代理学的积极影响。     

大学课程设计自学指南:如何设计课程以促进意义深远的学习(续)

作为大学老师,为了达到好的教学效果,我们必须能够做好两项活动,既要做好课程设计,又要做好师生互动。就这两项活动而言,我们的课程设计能力常常是制约因素。《创造意义深远的学习经历:大学课程整合设计方案》一书作者,美国奥克拉荷马大学教学发展项目部主任迪.芬克博士撰写了一份大学课程设计的自学指南,旨在给大家介绍一套系统有效的课程设计程式,帮助大家学会怎样进行课程设计。指南包括课程整合设计的三个主要阶段,每阶段包括开篇的介绍性评价,读者可以加以使用的工作簿,以及读者在课程设计过程中可以对自己提出的一些问题,以对自己的设计实践进行推敲。