The authors examine a very specific time in the history of the teaching of art technique, the foundation of the academies of art in italy in the early 19th century, and focus on the technical results obtained by the students of these academies. Special emphasis is placed on the technique of varnishing, on the origin of this practice, and on its significance. The conclusions center on the importance for the conservator of evaluating the function of the original varnishes before selecting the method of restoration to be applied.