Art and Science: a much debated topic

Abstract

Within the context of art, science and the holistic value of artwork are two different ways of reading reality in the field of the protection and enhancement of cultural and environmental heritage. Reading reality is synonymous with the work of historians, which involves knowing, interpreting and evaluating works of art through a subjective evaluation and, of technicians, through an objective evaluation. By combining their respective competences and, consequently, forming an interdisciplinary relationship through a need that must reflect humility and a mutual need of each other (a neces-sary prerogative), they will, together, arrive at a scientific truth. These aspects are equally important in the formation and training of professional figures relating to the study and research of the system: artifact of historical-artistic interest-conservation environment-biota. The above is closely linked to the subject of attribution and au-thentication of artwork and to the different intermediate categories that authentic and reproduced works can be classified under. In the latter, which are the results of digital technologies, starting from authentic works, it is evident that ethical and aesthetic is-sues arise in relation to differences between authentic and reproduced works. In con-clusion, as an emblematic historical-technical example of the relationship between art and science, mention is made of the Journal "Conservation Science in Cultural Herit-age”.