Tablet
16th century (sculpted), ca. 1891 (cast)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
This plaster cast with a Latin inscription, supported by putti, records the building of Como Cathedral, and the completion of its façade. The calligraphy is deliberately reminiscent of Roman lettering, like that seen on Trajan's Column, a cast of which is also in the Museum's collection. The cast was made by Carlo Campi in Milan in about 1891.
Plaster casts were especially sought after during the 19th century, when reproductions of great works of sculpture and architecture were thought crucial for the training of artists. A separating substance was applied to the surface of the work to be reproduced, and a plaster mould made from that. The mould would then be used to make any number of additional plaster copies. These were often sold to artists, and later in the century to art colleges for study purposes.
Plaster casts were especially sought after during the 19th century, when reproductions of great works of sculpture and architecture were thought crucial for the training of artists. A separating substance was applied to the surface of the work to be reproduced, and a plaster mould made from that. The mould would then be used to make any number of additional plaster copies. These were often sold to artists, and later in the century to art colleges for study purposes.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Materials and techniques | Plaster cast |
Brief description | Plaster cast of a stone tablet, from the rear wall of Como Cathedral, with an inscription recording the building of the Cathedral, and the completion of the facade, by an unidentified Lombard sculptor, 16th century, cast by Carlo Campi, Milan, ca. 1891 |
Dimensions |
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Object history | Purchased from Carlo Campi in 1891 for 7s (30 lire). |
Historical context | The inscription records the building of the Cathedral, and the completion of the facade. |
Subject depicted | |
Summary | This plaster cast with a Latin inscription, supported by putti, records the building of Como Cathedral, and the completion of its façade. The calligraphy is deliberately reminiscent of Roman lettering, like that seen on Trajan's Column, a cast of which is also in the Museum's collection. The cast was made by Carlo Campi in Milan in about 1891. Plaster casts were especially sought after during the 19th century, when reproductions of great works of sculpture and architecture were thought crucial for the training of artists. A separating substance was applied to the surface of the work to be reproduced, and a plaster mould made from that. The mould would then be used to make any number of additional plaster copies. These were often sold to artists, and later in the century to art colleges for study purposes. |
Collection | |
Accession number | REPRO.1891-128 |
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Record created | October 5, 2006 |
Record URL |
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