Hartmut Kutzke

Associate Professor - Department of Collection Management
Image of Hartmut Kutzke
Norwegian version of this page
Phone +47 22859477
Username
Visiting address Frederiks gate 2 0164 Oslo
Postal address Postboks 6762 St. Olavs plass 0130 Oslo

Work Responsibilities

As a chemist as the Museum of Cultural History I am working with all aspects in the interface of art and archaeology and natural science. This includes analyses of materials used on museum objects, conservation issues, and reconstruction of historical techniques.

Apart from my own research, I'm teaching and support students, give scientific support to conservators, archaeologists and art historians, and are involved in several projects going on at the museum and with external partners.

Academic Interests

Bio-inspired Materials for Conservation:

Materials in use for the conservation of artworks and archaeological objects often suffer from several drawbacks. Together with external partners, we are developing biomimetic or bio-inspired materials for conservation of soft materials, such like textiles, leather, paper, cardboards etc., and for consolidation and cleaning of paintings and painted surfaces.

Art Technology:

How do we know about materials and techniques artists and craftsmen have used in earlier times? In addition to scientific investigations of art objects, studies of historical written sources and their reproduction in the laboratory will give us a lot of information. My focus lies on medieval recipies on pigment and dyestuff production and 19th century early 20th centuries painting materials, especially less known pigments. 

History of Science:

Art, science and technology does not exist without a philosophical background. My focus lies on the history of chemistry, mineralogy and crystallograhy, especially alchemy and chemical and crystallographic theories of the 19th and 20th century. 

Synchroton and neutron radiation in cultural heritage:

The investigation of cultural heritage makes more and more use of advanced analytical methods and imaging techniques. We are active in the SR2A working group and NFR's SYNKNØYT program. It is an important aim to make synchroton and neutron based methods accessible for conservators and archaeologists. 

Metals, gemstones, jewellery and imitations

We are investigating objects from KHM's and other collections. Recipes on gemstone imitations are collected and reproduced in the lab.

Teaching

Teaching on pigment production and chemical analyses of art works for conservation students. Scientic support for Master and PhD students.

Background

After studies in chemistry with specialisation in biochemistry and mineralogy/crystallography, and further studies oriental art history and archaeology I obtained a doctoral degree with a thesis on the crystal growth and investigations of metastable organic crystals of historical interest at the University of Bonn.

After a two year employment at a mineralogical museum – dealing with the role of minerals, gemsones and crystals in cultural history – I worked at the University of Applied Science in several research projects on investigations of art works and reproduction of medieval and 19th century recipies on pigment manufactoring.

Since 2007 I have worked as a chemist and conservation scientist at the Museum of Cultural History, Oslo.

Collaboration

  • The Munch Museum, Oslo
  • University of Applied Science, Cologne, Germany
  • State Academy of Art and Design, Stuttgart, Germany
  • The Steinmann Institute, University of Bonn, Germany
  • Chemical Science for the Safeguard of Cultural Heritage Group, University of Pisa, Italy
Published Sep. 11, 2012 2:24 PM - Last modified July 4, 2022 11:38 AM