WORKSHOP

Tomasz Łojewski

AGH University of Krakow, Poland

Light-induced degradation is one of the major causes of irreversible damage to cultural heritage objects. Reliable assessment of light sensitivity is therefore essential for developing evidence-based preventive conservation strategies, including exhibition policies, lighting conditions, loan decisions, and storage recommendations. Microfading Testing (MFT) has become the leading non-destructive technique for evaluating the lightfastness of historical materials directly on original objects.

This hands-on workshop introduces participants to the principles and practical application of MFT in museums, libraries, archives, and conservation laboratories. After a concise overview of photochemical degradation and the role of MFT in heritage science, participants will become familiar with the instrument, calibration procedures, measurement planning, and good practice for testing valuable objects.

The workshop is centred on live demonstrations and participant involvement. Attendees will observe and perform MFT measurements, monitor colour and spectral changes in real time, and learn how to interpret measurement results using colour-difference metrics and reference materials. Particular attention will be given to translating MFT data into practical conservation decisions, demonstrating how lightfastness measurements can support realistic and scientifically justified preventive conservation plans.

The session is intended for conservators, conservation scientists, collection managers, and heritage professionals seeking practical experience with one of the most important analytical tools currently available for light sensitivity assessment of cultural heritage materials.

Tomasz Łojewski, Ph.D., Professor is a heritage scientist at the Department of Materials Science and Ceramics, AGH University of Krakow, Poland, where he leads the Heritage Science Lab. His research focuses on the development and application of advanced analytical methods for the study and conservation of cultural heritage, particularly microfading testing (MFT), multispectral imaging (MSI), and reflection transformation imaging (RTI).
He is one of the principal developers of the Micro Fading Tester (MFT), contributing to both the instrument design and the advancement of the methodology. The MFT system, manufactured by Instytut Fotonowy (Kraków), is currently installed in over 60 laboratories across 19 countries. He also developed dedicated software for the advanced analysis and interpretation of MFT data, supporting quantitative lightfastness assessment and research applications.
Prof. Łojewski is also a co-developer of automated RTI systems and MSI instrumentation for the examination of manuscripts and other heritage objects. He is a founding member of the E-RIHS.pl consortium and has coordinated and participated in numerous Polish and European research projects in heritage science.