Jiri Vnoucek

After completing studies in conservation in Prague, studied as intern with Christopher Clarkson at the West Dean College, England. In 2010 received Master degree in Conservation Science from the Scholl of Conservation of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen, Denmark. (M.A. thesis: Defects and Damage in Parchment Manuscripts, an aid to visual examination of parchment for writing purposes. Supervisor René Larsen, Copenhagen August 2010).

More than 30 years experience in conservation of paper, parchment, bookbinding and preservation of library collection. 12 years head of the Conservation department at the National Library in Prague, from 2005 employed as conservator at the Department of Preservation The Royal Library, Copenhagen.

Specialize in conservation of parchment, participated on EU project IDAP (Improved Damage Analyses of Parchment) and several other research projects in the field of the conservation of parchment of illuminated manuscripts. His research includes experimental parchment making and production of manuscripts in which he is regularly giving workshops, lectures and publishes articles.

Teaching experience includes: Institut National du Patrimoine in St.Denis, France (2005-2015) biannual presentation of courses in parchment making and conservation of parchment. 

The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles. (2016 7th- 8th June) Parchment making workshop: Understanding Parchment in Medieval Manuscripts.

Since 2013 Consultant of the conservation project of the Flateyjarbók at the Árni Magnússon Institute of Icelandic Studies in Reykjavík.

Most recently is finishing his PhD interdisciplinary research at the University of York, Centre of the Medieval Studies and BioArCh department of the Archaeology. 

The working title of my dissertation is: “Learning the history of manuscripts with the help of visual assessment of the parchment - The differences in animals and processes employed in the preparation of parchment”