Values assessment towards decision-making in conservation: the viceregal portrait collection of Portuguese India

Abstract

The portrait gallery of the vice-roys and governors of former Portuguese State of India is a unique collection which testifies 450 years of Portuguese ultramarine history. Although most of the earlier paintings are in a very poor state of conservation, one can still identify different intangible values which are important to recognize in order to properly interpret the collection, as well as defining a conservation methodology. The recent study of these portraits allowed the assessment of values as well as the development of several approaches concerning their valorisation in which regards decision-making towards its conservation. In this paper we will explore values assessment in this collection as well as useful diagrams that help quantify intangible values under the scope of contemporary conservation theories.