The art historian as an actor responsible for the conservation of the work of art

Abstract

‘Art Historian’ or ‘Historian of the Protection and Preservation of Cultural Heritage’ – both urban and rural, real and personal – are two terms which, in spite of the growing trend towards specialization that can be seen in contemporary historiography, cannot be regarded as being opposing or different. The Art Historian should consider himself a stakeholder in the preservation of historical and artistic work in general, because of to his academic training, which should not only encompass history and the evolution of artistic phenomena but also other issues such as law and city planning, which affect or may affect the protection – or disprotection – of our cultural heritage, be it real estate or personal property.