This sculpture below, “The veiled virgin” is most impressive! Marvel at the effect of transparency by the 19th century Italian artist Giovanni Strazza.
Imagine the epic difficulty of modeling a veil on a face on a material that is among the toughest on the planet – marble, mineral hardness 3 on Friedrich Mohs scale. Another problem is that nothing is added – it’s a sculpture made by subtracting. To sculpt a figure, you take a block of marble and “simply take everything off that’s not in the figure.”
This is a monument to the father of Prince Raimondo Sangro Antonio (1685-1757)
The Italian name of the monument Disinganno is often translated as “disappointment.”
“Freedom of the spell” (after 1757) of Franschesko Kvirolo is the most famous of his works. Just look at this netting! All made of a single piece of marble. Kvirolo was the only Neapolitan master who accepted the challenge.
Other great sculptors would not, believing that the network would break into pieces.
Amazing master sculptors for centuries, the art of precise cutting of the stone.
How about that texture of the skin in the sculpture by Lorenzo Bernini, which
depicts the abduction of Persephone! Look at the finger pressures on the skin.
Look at the finger pressures on the skin. Beyond anything imaginable! How did they do this? Especially 3-4 centuries ago. No computer enhancement, no graphics, crafting of electric tools.
Stunning. Absoluetely stunning! 😊
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😀 😀
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It was work like this that made me take up sculpture I there first place. The veiled figures made me think of Medardo Rosso’s Ecce Homo. Though completely different technique.
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Would love to see some of your sculptures Hilary! 🙂
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There are some on my website http://hilarycustancegreen.com/Hilary_Author_Website/Sculpture.html
but they are not a big thrill, I’m afraid.
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Most interesting website Hilary showing such a wide range of subjects, styles and materials. Sculpture is such an expensive area to work in.
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Your sculptured heads are so strong and marvellous too Hilary.
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Yes, sculpture is expensive and sadly backbreaking, if you like to think big. The heads were bread and butter (I only did them on commission) while I tried to downsize and the children were growing up. Glad you like them.
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Hilary, I’m just discovering comments in the Pending basket, I didn’t realise I was supposed to check there. Sorry about the delayed reply.
I did enjoy your sculptures, and shall have to read some of your books!
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*Perfection* If it is humanly possible, this would be it. What a piece of work *by* man.
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It reminds me of some musicians’ work that is beyond human capacity! There’s something greater working with these artists.
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Barbara! The Bernini sculpture is a favorite photo of mine. I have it in a special place with other images that are precious to me. To see it here was a lovely surprise. Thank you.
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Such a sensuous piece!! I’m so pleased you relate to it too, Barbara!
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Oh, what a beautiful post, Ba !! – and I agree with you, absolutely !!! True, genuine genius …
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It’s good to see things that inspire us, eh? 🙂
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Positively, my love ! – a sublime post, truly !
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Absolutely stunning!!!!!! Where do you even begin to create something like that???
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Good question! ❤
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THIS is why I must live in a major metropolitan area, where I can see works like these when they tour.
Thank you for the post, Barbara. Wonderful to look at these photos.
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So pleased you liked them O.Babe. Interesting to hear that your live near a major city and keep up with exhibitions.
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As a sculptor who worked for a time carving with Alan Hauser, I can truly say this type of carving is incredible. I have never seen these before and thank you for presenting them Barbara.
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I hadn’t realised that you were a sculptor Kayti, and am glad you enjoyed these!
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These artists must have known all there was to know about anatomy, and would have drawn countless sketches of their live models. Selecting the right marble block. Imagine painstakingly taking away all the marble that does not belong, working with ever finer and delicate tools for cutting, scraping, and polishing – knowing one wrong move could ruin everything! The lighting on the Persephone statue is superb, really bringing out the skin textures. Those transparent veils are incredible, and I love the kneeling lady. Thanks for these visons, Barbara.
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A pleasure Christine! Yes, carving knowing the marble could crack would be a nightmare!
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Each sculptor was a genius. I doubt anyone in this day and age could even come close to sculpting such magnificent pieces. These are unbelievable.
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Quite so! Glad you enjoyed them. 🙂
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I am so amazed by these. Sometimes I have been able to wrap my head around how they might have wrapped THEIR heads around the problem, but then I lose that whole vision. And without cameras, no photo to show them exactly where the shadows are, nothing static to work from, models, drawings, no electric tools… Breathtaking and awe inspiring.
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Exactly! Not everything old is antiquated! 🙂
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Beautiful. Impossibly beautiful.
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I agree Janet, exquisite, doing the impossible!
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