| Birth Date: | 6 February 1931 |
| Birth Place: | Rome, Italy |
| Death Place: | Rome, Italy |
| Fields: | Microbiologist, pioneer of microbiology applied to conservation-restoration |
| Workplaces: | Istituto Superiore per la Conservazione ed il Restauro |
| Education: | Sapienza University, Rome; Institut Pasteur, Paris |
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Clelia Giacobini (6 February 1931 – 25 September 2010) was an Italian microbiologist, and also a pioneer of microbiology applied to conservation-restoration.
Clelia Giacobini was born in Rome and graduated in Pharmacy and Biology at Sapienza University; subsequently she also obtained a PhD in Herbal medicine and a certificate of Soil microbiology at the Institut Pasteur in Paris (1969).
In the 1950s Cesare Brandi, Director and founder of Central Institute of Restoration - ICR Rome (now Istituto Superiore per la Conservazione ed il Restauro-ISCR"), thought to set up a laboratory of Microbiology in the Institute. Clelia Giacobini participated in its creation (1957).[1]
In 1959 Giacobini remained as the only component of the laboratory staff. At the same time, she was given the teaching of biology in the School of ICR, which she held until retirement (1995), for 36 years.[2] In 1964 the laboratory was established by law and Clelia Giacobini officially took over its direction.[3]
Before the establishment of the microbiology laboratory at the ICR Rome, there was no literature on the biological alterations of art works. For that reason, Clelia Giacobini could be considered a "pioneer" of microbiology applied to conservation science. In 1961 there were the first lab results, listing microbial types that were considered responsible for biological alterations after extensive research on the archaeological and architectural monuments in Rome (Domus Tiberiana, Domus Flavia, Domus Aurea, San Clemente, monumental fountains, etc..).[4]
In 1965, as a result of more investigations, a preliminary methodology was defined: 1) inspection in situ and collection of samples; 2) microscopic examination of samples in the laboratory; 3) cultural isolation of drawings; 4) identification of the organisms. In 1967 she made public the results of further studies involving the definition of the five most typical phenomena of microbial spoilage on the frescoes. In 1970 the laboratory began to develop new and more refined technical and analytical methods, represented mainly by the application of scanning electron microscope, which already allowed the immediate diagnosis of the alteration and the chance to study all microorganisms in their natural environment. Later in the seventies, the workshop arranged to review the phenomenology of alterations in the appearance of biodeterioration, deepening our understanding of nutritional and environmental factors that favor the attack of biological agents.[5]
In the 1980s, the genus and species of these agents were identified, thanks to the collaboration of the British expert Mark Seaward and technical and scientific staff of the laboratory. In this phase of studies there were examined Fossanova Abbey, the excavations of Ostia Antica, the Etruscan tombs of Tarquinia, the Villas of Veneto, the frescoes of Villa Farnese in Caprarola (1988), etc.. The studies enabled the restorers to effectively intervene at Ostia Antica, on the paintings of Assisi Cathedral, on the frescoes of Correggio in Parma, the Scrovegni Chapel in Padua and Leonardo's Last Supper.[6]
Clelia Giacobini was subject of numerous requests for advice and for teaching assignments by several Italian and European authorities, in India, Venezuela and Japan. She chaired the International Conferences on biological deterioration of Cultural Heritage, held in Lucknow (1989) and Yokohama (1992).
Between 1992 and 1995 she was part of the technical-scientific committee for the start of the Italy Risk Map project of cultural heritage.[7]