Linternauta and the standardisation of the technical cataloguing of magic lantern slides in Portugal

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14568/cp42974

Keywords:

Magic lantern, Technical cataloguing, Terminology standardisation, Audiovisual heritage, Heritage documentation, Digital humanities

Abstract

This article analyses the update of the Linternauta digital platform through the technical cataloguing of 427 magic lantern slides preserved in three Portuguese public institutions. The study addresses the terminological instability surrounding the description of production techniques and proposes an operational classification model based on four categories: pictorial, printed, photographic and mixed. The classification combines macroscopic observation, historical sources and recent material studies. Results reveal a significant predominance of hybrid technical configurations within the analysed corpus, consistent with previous research on Portuguese collections. The proposed terminology facilitates interinstitutional comparison, supports structured digital access and indirectly contributes to preventive conservation strategies by potentially reducing the handling of fragile materials. The Portuguese case highlights the methodological value of technical cataloguing for heritage documentation and digital humanities.

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References

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Placa de linterna mágica perteneciente a la colección de la Cinemateca Portuguesa–Museo del Cine (inv. CPMC-PC0445/004). Aunque la presencia de coloración manual evidencia procedimientos pictóricos, la pieza se clasifica dentro de la categoría técnica mixta debido a la coexistencia de distintos procesos de producción, ilustrando la complejidad material que fundamenta el modelo de normalización propuesto.

Published

2026-06-08

How to Cite

Frutos Esteban, F. J., & López San Segundo, C. (2026). Linternauta and the standardisation of the technical cataloguing of magic lantern slides in Portugal. Conservar Património. https://doi.org/10.14568/cp42974