5 November. On 23 October, Boris T. Sizov, physicist, conservator of stone monuments and longstanding contributor to the field of conservation passed away in Moscow following a severe illness.

Graduating from the Moscow Engineering Physics Institute in 1972, Sisov began his work in the field of conservation of cultural heritage in 1973. From 1981 he worked at the State Scientific Institute for Restoration (GosNIIR) in Moscow.  For many years, he headed the department of restoration of stone and monumental sculpture and was Deputy Director of Science during the period of Perestroika, a time for new ideas and new directions. Under his leadership, a number of international projects were implemented, which provided interesting research experiences for the department and helped staff to develop their skills in practical conservation.

He contributed to the study and development of measures to stabilize temperature and humidity conditions (TBP) and technologies, and made significant contributions to the restoration and preservation of many monuments throughout the former Soviet Union, such as the Kremlin, St. Basil's Cathedral, the monuments to Minin and Pozharsky, the Novodevichy convent, Kolomenskoye and Donskoy monastery in Moscow; as well as the Cyril Belozersky and Ferapontov monasteries and other architectural monuments elsewhere in Russia; the Gur Emir mausoleum in Samarkand, Uzbekistan; the Mausoleum of Khawaja Ahmed Yasawi in Turkestan, Kazakhstan; the Dome Cathedral in Riga, Latvia and many others.

Over the years, he became an outstanding specialist in structural physics and monument conservation, giving scientific and methodological advice to colleagues in the field. A physicist by academic education, a licensed engineer and also a conservator, he was able to link science to his practical work, and his profound knowledge allowed him to greatly enhance the profession.

Author of more than 50 publications, in the 1990s he was coordinator of Russian activities in the "EU 496 Eurocare-Euromarble” project and successfully implemented scientific projects with Germany and former Soviet countries. He also represented the Russian Federation in the Commission for the Protection of Monuments at the Council of Europe.

Beginning in 2000, Sizov became Deputy Director of Central Scientific Restoration Production Workshops (CNRPM) and headed the architectural monuments section of the Scientific and Methodical Council (part of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation).

He was also Assistant Professor of restoration at Russian State University for the Humanities (RGGU). For many students of conservation, he was a highly esteemed teacher and mentor, known for both his wisdom and irony. Scores of young professionals he taught have since gone on to work for various conservation organizations. To some, he was a colleague and a friend, whose advice and experience — at times in difficult situations — was invaluable. It is difficult to reconcile with the fact that he is no longer with us. He was a genuine professional, a witty companion and a man of faith, who truly loved monuments and devoted his life to their conservation.

Stefan Simon (ICCROM Council Member)
and Elena Antonova

updated on: 5 November, 2012