Teresa Teves Reis

Institutional support Introduction Artistic production in Estado da India, during the long tenure of 456 years of Portuguese administration (1505-1961), reflects the incorporation of Indian and European traditions, not only in what concerns technical and decorative solutions, but also in terms of symbology. The gallery of the Viceroys and Governors was the ultimate symbol of Portuguese overseas venture, where each portrait was made respecting the ruler's physionomy and iconography, which adds this collection a unique documental value that needs to be correctly identified and interpreted. The several overpaints added to these painting trough the centuries make this task very challenging, so the development of a strategy was necessary in order to share this information with the current custodian, Archaeological Survey of India. Main goals The main goal of OGR project and this PhD thesis is the development of tools for interpretation of the tangible and intangible values inherent to these portraits towards a new reading of the older and most damaged paintings. Using a multidisciplinary approach which correlates scientific and archival data. The results are expected to promote discussion in what regards the conservation and restoration of the collection and the need to preserve such values. Methodology Our team travelled to Old Goa in January 2019 with HERCULES's MoLab and performed in-situ scientific examination on 8 portraits, following the methodology already used in the 3 paintings that remained in Portugal, in MNAA. Instrumental approach included surface examination by Visible, Raking light and UV Fluorescence Photography, IR Reflectography and Radiography, complemented with in-situ chemical elemental analysis, performed by EDXRF systems allowing punctual and mapping analysis without the need to collect micro-samples. ASI team participated in the process as our multidisciplinary team with expertise on art history, chemistry, heritage science and conservation transmitted their feedback on the preliminary results, comparing with images of early reproductions of the collection and other historical information. Ongoing research The team is currently processing all images and scientific data collected and correlating it with previous historical research in order to find patterns that help characterize and date the several overpaints. The results will be discussed with ASI team, thus providing documentation which will help the interpretation of the several layers, their values and the available solution for a conservation intervention and current display. Conclusion This is the first time a Portuguese team is cooperating with ASI towards the study of this shared heritage collection. The results of this project, which are being developed in the PhD thesis, will bring a new page to this collection's history and to the cultural relations between Portugal and India.

, with the clear intention to glorify the Portuguese Empire and their military and diplomatic achievements overseas. It's constituted by 120 portraits, 71 exposed in Archaeological Survey of India Museum (Old Goa) and 2 in Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga (Lisboa). The older paintings are covered with several layers of repaints, added through several renovation interventions overtime and this condition doesn't allow their correct identification and interpretation, which rises authenticity issues. Main Goals Methodology This phD project intends to develop a multidisciplinary scientific approach which will allow the revelation of the underlying figures through digital processes, as well as collecting new data regarding their historic, artistic and technical characterization. Crossing scientific data with archival documentation and multidisciplinary expertise will allows us to have a new interpretation of this collection, using non-destructive techniques, thus preventing misinformed restoration interventions. A process successfully conducted in the portrait identified as Afonso de Albuquerque from Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga in Lisboa. The Old Goa Revelations project aims to ensure the interpretation of the various layers present in the older portraits without having to resort to irreversible physical interventions or destructive analysis through the following work stages: 1) Technical documentation and area exams Multispectral survey of the surface of the paintings by photographic processes (visible light, raking light, UV fluorescence, IV Reflectography) and radiographic (X-ray), in order to obtain images of underlying layers and other technical and material information by exposing the materials present in the painting to different electromagnetic waves. 2) Conservation diagnosis report Complete survey of the state of conservation of the support and surface layers of the paintings and their frames, together with the ASI conservators, including registration of pathologies and other details through macro-photographs and microphotographs. Expected Outcome The Old Goa Revelations project aims to develop and implement a transdisciplinary methodology that crosses and integrates several areas of knowledge (history, museology, conservation, physical and biological sciences) that can be applied to the study of this gallery, following the methodology developed in MNAA. The re-interpretation of this collection will be essential to provide information regarding conservation issues, as well as museographic tools which will help the public to have an improved visual and intellectual access to the collection. It can also establish, in a wider context, best-practices for interpretation, preservation and conservation of Portuguese origin heritage in India and worldwide. This project requires sensitivity towards the local laws and customs regarding the Portuguese presence. The aim is to foster good practices and friendly relations around the safeguarding of transcultural heritage and its correct interpretation.

The main purpose of this paper is to draw attention to the particularity of Christian heritage within the wider context of India’s religious and cultural diversity and the need to create specific intervention methodologies which take into account the technical, artistic and iconographic aspects of these objects
and their cultural values. There exists especially in the state of Goa an urge to interpret Christian heritage as testimony of the European presence in India. This important living legacy
must be understood and accepted in order to preserve the unique characteristics of these objects whose authenticity is now at risk. For this reason, there is a need to create a
multilateral research platform which would be responsible not only for surveying the current condition of Indian Christian heritage, but also accountable for the decision making
processes and methodologies regarding conservation programmes and interventions. Additionally this new
partnership would be in charge of implementing training of stakeholders and promoting awareness of conservation issues.

India and Portugal share custody of an important portrait collection to both countries and their common past. The paintings surface is currently much altered due to several layers of coarse repaints which damage original materials and prevent its correct interpretation and appreciation. Recent investigations and scientific studies concluded the need to conduct a proper analytical methodology before any kind of restoration procedure, due to the need of safeguarding the correct interpretation of this historical document. In that sense international cooperation and multidisciplinary teams are required to achieve common strategies towards best practice in conservation.

The portrait gallery of the vice-roys and governors of former Portuguese State of India is a unique collection which testifies 450 years of Portuguese ultramarine history. Although most of the earlier paintings are in a very poor state of conservation, one can still identify different intangible values which are important to recognize in order to properly interpret the collection, as well as defining a conservation methodology. The recent study of these portraits allowed the assessment of values as well as the development of several approaches concerning their valorisation in which regards decision-making towards its conservation. In this paper we will explore values assessment in this collection as well as useful diagrams that help quantify intangible values under the scope of contemporary conservation theories.