The history of the Bachelor's degree in Conservation and Restoration at UFRJ cannot be fully understood in isolation from the history of the School of Fine Arts itself.
In summary, the founding of the Royal School of Sciences, Arts, and Crafts (ERCAO - Escola Real de Ciências, Artes e Ofícios, in portuguese) in 1816 can be considered the cornerstone of official art education and production in Brazil. In fact, the name of ERCAO did not withstand the political upheavals in Brazil, undergoing several changes over different periods. Thus, the Imperial Academy of Fine Arts (1826–1908), the National School of Fine Arts (1908–1965), and the School of Fine Arts (EBA - Escola de Belas Artes, in portuguese) 1965–present can be seen as different stages of the same institution over time. ERCAO was, therefore, the embryo of what is today the School of Fine Arts at UFRJ.
Broadly speaking, the history of heritage restoration in Brazil is intertwined with the history of the School of Fine Arts at UFRJ (Escola de Belas Artes - EBA, in portuguese), as the earliest reports of restoration work in Brazil stem from interventions at the painting gallery of the Imperial Academy of Fine Arts. For a long time, the theory and practice of restoration were technically intertwined with artistic production, in a symbiosis that was not particularly beneficial for the cultural assets themselves. It is also true that it was at the School of Fine Arts, in the mid-20th century, that formal courses (both undergraduate and graduate) were introduced to train conservators who were more technically capable and sensitive to the ethical and aesthetic issues specific to the field of restoration. In this context, figures such as Edson Motta and Marylka Mendes—both professors at EBA/UFRJ—were instrumental in shaping the education of generations of heritage interventors in Brazil.
The training of high degree students in conservation and restoration in Brazil began in 2009, as a result of the Support Program for the Restructuring and Expansion Plans of Federal Universities. Currently, Brazil is home to three centers for the training of bachelor’s degree students in conservation and restoration, in addition to UFRJ: the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), the Federal University of Pelotas (UFPel), and the Federal University of Pará (UFPA).
As one of the largest metropolitan areas in Brazil, the city of Rio de Janeiro is culturally characterized by its vibrant artistic scene and as a hub for both public and private institutions that are unique within the country. This context creates an ideal environment for the work and development of scholars in the field of cultural heritage, greatly benefiting students enrolled in the Bachelor's degree in Conservation and Restoration at UFRJ. In this regard, Rio de Janeiro is also one of the Brazilian cities with the highest concentration of public higher education institutions, which facilitate the continuation of education within the stricto sensu framework.
In this context, the city of Rio de Janeiro can be regarded as a significant asset for the Bachelor's program in Conservation and Restoration, as the work performed by conservation-restoration professionals is closely linked to the needs of one of Brazil's most important and historically rich cities.
Given its historical and strategic importance to Brazil, UFRJ is home to a rich cultural heritage, safeguarded in 18 museum entities connected to the Museum, Collection, and Heritage System of UFRJ (SIMAP - Sistema de Museus, Acervos e Patrimônio Cultural da UFRJ, in portuguese). In this context, UFRJ stands out as an institution dedicated to heritage preservation, serving not only as a field of internship for students but also as a source of professional opportunities for graduates of the Bachelor's program in Conservation and Restoration.