Research Summary

The project “Lanterna Magica – Technology and Preservation of Painted Glass Slides for Projection with Magic Lanterns” intends to be the first systematic and comprehensive study of the production, history of use and methods for preservation of the art of painting magic lanterns glass slides. This project will develop innovative approaches to investigate for the first time several Portuguese collections of painted glass slides by linking their history, the analysis of historical written sources on methods and materials to produce hand-painted glass slides, the material characterisation of the collections, the reconstruction of historical recipes in the laboratory and study of their degradation mechanisms enhanced during the projections, and the development of preservation methodologies for existing collections. This project aims to explore simultaneously their history, their materials and techniques of production, and their conservation, as well as develop preservation strategies in order to ensure access to this resource for future generations.

PhD Project Title: Lanterna Magica – Technology and Preservation of Painted Glass Slides for Projection with Magic Lantern.

Supervisors: Marcia Vilarigues (VICARTE, DCR FCT NOVA, Portugal), Vanessa Otero (LAQV-Requimte, DCR FCT NOVA, Portugal)