By Noelle Kosarek ’16

One of the most important aspects of Italian history is its iconic artwork. But with age, lack of proper care and environmental stresses, art becomes subject to deterioration. It is up to those who restore priceless works of art to preserve history.

Select Lafayette students will soon have the opportunity to do so this fall, assisting with art restorations in Florence, Italy for a month this summer.

Italian Studies was recently approved as a minor, along with the Italian Conservation Art Nanoscience (ICAN) summer intensive program. This program has been developed along with the new Italian Studies minor. The program gives students the chance to study abroad and maintain a steady course load for the minor.

The program combines the chemical and biological aspects of art restoration and conservation while fostering an appreciation for the visual arts. During the program the students will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in Italian culture for the month.

Professor of Music Anthony Cummings said the goal of the program, in the simplest terms, is “to apply scientific principles to the challenges of deteriorated art works and bring the works back to their original state.”

Cummings, who has assembled informational packets for interested students, has detailed the program. Four undergraduate students who are selected will participate in a yearlong program at Lafayette followed by a four-week stay in Florence. The Lafayette-based portion of the program includes an Italian studies course, an introduction tonanoscience and two weeks of research.

In the summer, the students will travel to Italy for field research and culture immersion. Specifically, students will be analyzing and identifying innovative ways in which certain pieces of art can be restored. James Ferri, a professor at the University of Florence, will guide students in this venture.

Rachel Venaglia ‘14, who is one of the first students to sign up for the minor, started learning Italian in hopes of one day traveling to Florence to learn about her family heritage. “I decided at Lafayette I would take the levels of Italian they offer and then try to teach myself until I become fluent, and I’ve been taking some other courses to learn about the culture.”

When Venaglia heard about the Italian Studies minor she was eager to join because she felt the curriculum would supplement her understanding of Italian culture.

“That way when I graduate, I will be prepared to travel,” said Venaglia.