Oliver Tietze   Diplom-Restaurator

International Summer School for Conservation Spröda / Laue / Sausedlitz

In September 2025, the communities of Sausedlitz, Spröda and Laue north of Leipzig will host an International Summer School for conservation students.

(Details for applicants below)

Four students from international universities will be given the opportunity to deepen and expand the theoretical knowledge they have acquired at the universities through practical work on objects of the interior in the three baroque churches. Over the course of four weeks, the pulpit altar in Spröda will be treated, the original Baroque paintwork of the confessionals in the church in Laue will be stabilised, and a panel painting on the altar of the church in Sausedlitz will be restored.

Our summer school goes beyond mere practical training: in seminars on the practical work, participants deepen their knowledge of restoration techniques, materials, and art-historical contexts. Excursions to other cultural monuments and museums in the area offer insights into the regional culture and history, and in-depth insights into interesting restoration projects. The main objective of the parishes, namely the preservation and restoration of their churches, is combined with education. Education does not only work in one direction, from teacher to student, but also vice versa. The participants bring different perspectives and techniques from their countries and universities, which inspire and enrich the regional professional world.

An important secondary aspect (‘collateral benefit’) of the summer school is the encounter and exchange - both among the international participants and with the inhabitants of the region. The involvement of the village communities enriches local cultural life and raises awareness of the importance of preserving the collective cultural heritage.

The residents support the project by providing accommodation and actively participating in the exchange. The churches are open to residents and visitors during the work. The event concludes with a get-together with conversation, food, and drink, during which the work on the objects is presented.

When: September 2025 (31.08.2025 - 28.09.2025)

Where: Churches in Spröda, Laue, Sausedlitz (north of Leipzig, Germany)

Who: Students of restoration and conservation, preferably specialising in paintings and painted wood, studying for at least one year, (There are four places available)

Content: Combination of practical work on objects, corresponding theory seminars, excursions to cultural monuments in the surrounding area

Language: English

Project organiser: Schenkenberg parish (Delitzsch - north of Leipzig)

Contact person / organisation: Graduate restorer Oliver Tietze (www.restaurator-leipzig.de , post@restaurator-leipzig.de)

Types of objects: Wood panel paintings, polychrome church interior (baroque altars, boxes), baroque hourglass

Objects:

- Baroque pulpit altar of the church in Spröda (painted surface, wood panel painting, hourglass): Surface cleaning ..., woodwork and additions, integration of missing parts, gilding, varnish removal, retouching, cleaning and conservation of an hourglass, documentation

- Wooden panel painting of the baroque altar in the Sausedlitz church: gluing of an open joint, conservation, varnish removal, filling and retouching, varnish application, removal and assembly of the panel, construction of a scaffold, documentation

- Baroque confessional parlour in the church in Laue (original baroque version): Conservation of a highly water-sensitive painting, technological examination, documentation

Seminars:

- Introduction to the objects (history, technology and previous restorations, ...)

- Surface cleaning

- Photo documentation and introduction to 3D documentation using photogrammetry

- introduction to Binder analysis with FTIR (Dr B. Freysoldt, Leipzig)

- Consolidation of water-sensitive paint layers using water-soluble media

- Removing varnish from panel paintings - gels and compresses (Paula Sowa, Leipzig)

- working safety

- Setting up a scaffold

Excursions: - Delitzsch town church (late Gothic altar)

- Delitzsch Castle

- Löbnitz church (painted wooden ceiling, impressive interior)

- Spontaneous excursion according to offer and demand

- Presentation of own objects to an expert audience as part of the Leipzig restorers‘ regulars’ table

Lecturer: Graduate conservator Oliver Tietze, graduate conservator Paula Sowa, graduate conservator Leonard Fritzsch, graduate conservator Carry Bendin, graduate conservator Dr Bernadett Freysoldt

Accommodation / Costs / Compensation:

Accommodation in a holiday flat is provided free of charge by the municipalities. No remuneration will be paid for the practical work. Participants receive a financial compensation of 160€/week. Participants must organise and pay for their own travel. Participation in the summer school and the seminars is free of charge.

Programme:

Daily from 8:30 - 16:00 practical work on the objects and approx. 1h seminar. The excursion takes place one day a week, usually on Friday. The weekend is at your free disposal.

Applications: Applications should be sent informally as a pdf document with a CV by 31 May 2025: to Oliver Tietze, post@restaurator-leipzig.de

By sending us your application, you agree that we store your contact details and the documents sent to us and use them in connection with the summer school. You can inform us at any time if you no longer agree to this. We will then delete the data immediately.