Two Italian Art Conservators in Los Angeles: a Shared Commitment to Cultural Heritage
At EC2 Art Conservation, our core mission is to return damaged works of art, significant objects, and historic structures to a state of aesthetic integrity and stability. We achieve this through minimal, carefully considered intervention, always prioritizing the maximum reversibility of our treatments.
Drawing upon extensive international experience, we are dedicated to achieving the highest standards of excellence. This commitment is realized through a synergistic combination of cutting-edge diagnostic technology, more than half a century of combined professional practice, and a profound emphasis on continuous research and scholarly engagement within the field of conservation.
Elisabetta Covizzi Perfetti
Elisabetta Covizzi Perfetti is an expert Italian Art Conservator, specializing in the conservation of wall paintings and murals, now based in Los Angeles. With a significant career spanning over 25 years, she brings a wealth of experience and a meticulous approach to the preservation of cultural heritage
Professional Journey & Expertise
Elisabetta Covizzi Perfetti holds a Master’s Degree in Conservation from the world-renowned Opificio delle Pietre Dure in Florence, Italy. She currently serves as Senior Art Conservator at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), where she oversees conservation work on the historic Watts Towers.
In Italy, Elisabetta contributed to the conservation of some of the country’s most significant cultural treasures and Internationally, she has worked on major conservation projects in cathedrals, historic mansions, castles, and private residences across France and the United States, with a primary focus on fresco and plaster conservation. She has also participated in several post-earthquake emergency art rescue operations under the aegis of the Italian Government. These complex interventions included the detachment of wall paintings using traditional techniques such as strappo and stacco, followed by their relocation and reinstallation.
In recent years, Elisabetta has served as a preservation consultant for several visionary art environments in the United States, including Salvation Mountain in the California desert, the Noah Purifoy Outdoor Desert Art Museum in Joshua Tree, Howard Finster’s Paradise Garden in Summerville, Georgia, and the Pope Museum in Ochlocknee, Georgia.
Since relocating to Los Angeles in 2016, Elisabetta has applied her expertise to the conservation of both historic and contemporary wall paintings. Her work includes projects such as David Alfaro Siqueiros’ América Tropical, the monumental fresco located on the exterior wall of the Italian American Museum on historic Olvera Street in Los Angeles. She has also served as lead conservator in San Francisco for the conservation of a cycle of frescoes by Bernard Zakheim, a prominent WPA artist known for his work at Coit Tower. Her practice further extends to the conservation of historic architectural finishes and modern sculpture.
Elisabetta is the recipient of the 2022 California Preservation Award for her work on the complex detachment and preservation of twelve curved frescoes at the School of Medicine at the University of San Francisco (UCSF).
A passionate educator, Elisabetta has taught introductory fresco technique courses at accredited art institutions, inspiring students to pursue careers in conservation. She has also delivered specialized technical lectures on fresco painting and conservation at the Getty Museum and Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles.
Elisabetta is also a published author in the field of conservation and has presented her research at numerous international conservation conferences.
EDUCATION
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Opificio delle Pietre Dure, Florence, Italy
Master's Degree in Conservation of Wall Paintings and Cultural Heritage -
Institute of General Chemistry, Bressanone, Italy
Specialized Study in History and Technology of Plaster -
Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy
Advanced Study in Conservation and Diagnostic Techniques -
Università di Bressanone, Bressanone, Italy
Coursework in Organization and Planning of Conservation Sites
Key Collaborations & Work Experience
- Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)
- Getty Conservation Institute
- Italian Superintendent for Fine Arts (Soprintendenza)
- Italian Office for Cultural Heritage (Ministero per i Beni e le Attività Culturali)
- Italian Government (Emergency Response Projects)
- Otis College of Art and Design, Los Angeles, CA (Lecturer)
Ermanno Carbonara
Ermanno Carbonara is a recognized Art Conservator with three decades of intensive experience. His expertise spans diverse geographical and cultural contexts, with significant projects undertaken in Italy, throughout North Africa, Central Asia, the Middle East, and the United States.
Professional Journey & Expertise
Ermanno holds a Master’s Degree in Conservation from the world-renowned School of Mosaics Conservation of Ravenna (Scuola per il Restauro del Mosaico), in agreement with the Istituto Superiore per la Conservazione e il Restauro (ISCR) in Rome, an institution recognized by the American Institute for Conservation (AIC).
He is a widely published author in the field of conservation and has presented his innovative work and research findings at numerous international conservation conferences.
Notable projects in Italy include the conservation of the Byzantine wall mosaics at the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Sant’Apollinare Nuovo and Sant’Apollinare in Classe in Ravenna. He has also served as a consultant for the conservation of mosaics within the Dome of St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City. His diverse portfolio includes the conservation of important modern mosaics, such as works by Marc Chagall, and the conservation of marble outdoor sculptures at the Este Castle in Ferrara.
Internationally, Ermanno has been a key consultant for the Getty Conservation Institute (GCI) for the past fifteen years, contributing to their mosaic conservation field projects in Tunisia, Morocco, and Lebanon. This work has involved both the hands-on training of local mosaic conservation technicians and the direct implementation of conservation treatments on-site.
In recent years, he has served as a conservation consultant for UNESCO on a multi-year conservation program for the significant Buddhist archaeological site of Mes Aynak in Afghanistan. This complex project involved on-site surveys of cultural artifacts, the development of a GIS database, conservation work at the National Museum of Kabul on ancient Buddha sculptures (painted unfired clay) and fragments of lime and earth-based painted plasters, and the training of Afghan archaeologists and conservators from the Ministry of Culture of Afghanistan. Another critical UNESCO project in Afghanistan involved the documentation, condition assessment, conservation planning, and budgeting for the preservation of the surface decoration of the Minaret of Jam, a UNESCO World Heritage site, working collaboratively with an international team of archaeologists, architects, surveyors, and engineers.
Since moving to Los Angeles in 2017, Ermanno has applied his expertise to contemporary and historic wall paintings in Los Angeles and San Francisco, historic LA architectural finishes, and modern sculpture. He also conducted a post-flood damage assessment for the studio of artist Analia Saban, all while continuing his international consulting work for the GCI. Recently, he was the recipient of a prestigious Getty Foundation grant to establish a conservation lab and conduct training for mosaic conservation technicians in Tunisia, focusing on re-laid mosaics on concrete and reinforced concrete supports, in partnership with the Institut National du Patrimoine (INP) of Tunisia. He is also currently engaged in conservation work for LACMA at the Watts Towers in Los Angeles.
EDUCATION
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School of Mosaics Conservation of Ravenna (Scuola per il Restauro del Mosaico), Ravenna, Italy
Master's Degree in Conservation (in agreement with ISCR) -
Istituto Superiore per la Conservazione e il Restauro (ISCR), Rome, Italy
Affiliated Advanced Studies
Key Projects & Affiliations
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Sant’Apollinare Nuovo & Sant’Apollinare in Classe (Ravenna)
- St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City (Consultant)
- Works by Marc Chagall (Modern Mosaics)
- Este Castle, Ferrara (Sculpture Conservation)
- Getty Conservation Institute (GCI) (International Consultant: Tunisia, Morocco, Lebanon)
- UNESCO (Consultant: Mes Aynak & Minaret of Jam, Afghanistan)
- National Museum of Kabul
- Institut National du Patrimoine (INP), Tunisia
- Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) - Watts Towers Project
Our Method and Approach
Our conservation methodology is rooted in a deep understanding of materials science, art history, and ethical best practices. We approach each project with a systematic process designed to ensure the most appropriate and effective treatments:
Surveys & Condition Assessments
We begin with thorough, non-invasive examinations to meticulously document the current state of the artwork or structure. This includes detailed photographic documentation and written reports outlining existing conditions, previous interventions, and areas of concern.
Plaster Condition Assessments, Surveys & Inspections
For projects involving frescoes, murals, and architectural plaster, we conduct specialized assessments to identify issues such as detachment, delamination, cracking, salt efflorescence, and structural instability, employing techniques like percussion sounding and hygrothermal analysis.
Investigation, Testing & Analysis
When necessary, we employ scientific investigation and analysis to better understand material composition, deterioration mechanisms, and the suitability of proposed treatment methods. This may involve microscopy, pigment analysis, or collaboration with specialized laboratories. Small, discreet tests are often conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of cleaning agents or consolidants.
Preconstruction Planning & Design (for Architectural Projects)
For architectural conservation, we work closely with architects, engineers, and clients during the planning phases to integrate conservation requirements into the overall project design, ensuring that preservation goals are met alongside other project objectives. This includes developing detailed treatment proposals and specifications.
Our approach emphasizes minimal intervention, the use of stable and reversible materials, and comprehensive documentation of all treatments performed.
Preserving Works of Art is not merely our Profession; it is our Mission and our Profound Passion.
We embrace the significant responsibility entrusted to us: to care for the physical manifestation of an artist’s vision and humanity’s cultural legacy. Our ultimate aim is to ensure that these invaluable images, objects, and concepts can continue to be experienced, studied, and enjoyed by future generations.