Silvia Rita Amato

Silvia Rita Amato is a Conservation Scientist at The Courtauld Institute of Art’s Department of Conservation. She specializes in technical examination of paintings using imaging techniques and spectroscopic methods, with a focus on artists’ materials and techniques. She joined The Courtauld in 2013 as a part-time Technical Assistant and transitioned to a full-time role as a Conservation Scientist. Her work involves designing technical analyses for paintings, supervising MA students in technical imaging, and delivering lectures on data processing and safety protocols. Amato holds an MA in Science for Cultural Heritage from the University of Parma (2012) and a PhD from The Courtauld (2022), focusing on reflectance imaging spectroscopy and scanning XRF in Édouard Manet’s works. Her research also extends to Jain manuscripts, Impressionist paintings, and material analysis.

Her research interests span imaging techniques, spectroscopic methods, application of new analytical tools, and Technical Art History. Notable projects include studies on Gauguin’s Nevermore, Rubens’ Death of Hippolytus, and Joan Miró’s cadmium yellow paints. She has collaborated with institutions like the Victoria & Albert Museum and the Fundació Miró Mallorca. Amato’s work bridges conservation science with art historical inquiry, emphasizing material evidence to inform artistic processes and preservation strategies.

Amato co-supervises MA student research and supports PhD/postdoctoral fellows. Her contributions include methodological advancements in XRF applications and pigment analysis, published in journals like Studies in Conservation and Heritage Science. She actively participates in international conferences and collaborates on interdisciplinary projects, fostering innovation in technical art studies.