Max Planck Institute for the History of Science

Mark Clarke

Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Ph.D.

Residence: February 1 - February 28, 2012


Profile

Prof. Dr. Mark Clarke is an interdisciplinary researcher into historic artists' materials, especially paint, and in particular mediaeval paint. With a background in conservation and conservation science, he specialises in works of art as physical objects: 'technical art history'. A particular interest is the materials and techniques of mediaeval European and Islamic manuscripts. Working with the International Council of Museums he co-founded the international working group on Art Technological Source Research. He has made a particular study of artists' recipe books, and has recently published a new edition and translation of the Liber diversarum arcium. He is a professor of Technical Art History in the Department of Conservation and Restoration, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, and an invited researcher at the Universiteit van Amsterdam.

Current work: 
The Co-Transmission of Mediaeval Paint Recipes as an Indicator of the Inter-Penetration of Colour Theory, Artists’ Practical Knowledge and Domestic Science

Selected publications

Clarke, Mark. The Art of All Colours: Mediaeval Recipe Books for Painters and Illuminators. London: Archetype Publications, 2011.

Clarke, Mark. Mediaeval Painters’ Materials and Techniques: The Montpellier Liber diversarum arcium. London: Archetype Publications, 2011.