Mora Samples Collection

In 1959 ICCROM was established as a Centre for studying and promoting diverse approaches to conservation in the heritage field, including mural paintings. In this area, the collaboration of ICCROM with conservators Paolo and Laura Mora was particularly profitable. Both participated in conservation missions all over the world (Italy, India, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, Moldavia Montenegro, etc.) and they also cooperated in numerous training activities, such as ICCROM’s Mural Painting’s Course (MPC), which they helped to design and implement. The course was held in collaboration with the Istituto Centrale per il Restauro (ICR), currently Istituto Superiore per la Conservazione ed il Restauro (ISCR).

The Mora Sample Collection is an important part of their legacy; it includes over 1 200 samples collected by the couple, between the 1960s and 1980s, during worldwide technical missions and conservation projects undertaken on behalf of ICCROM and used by both for teaching purposes and research. In fact, their main goal was to investigate the different mural painting techniques used by different cultures in their artistic expression.