Bust of a child
Bust
ca. 1460-1490 (sculpted), ca. 1867 (cast)
ca. 1460-1490 (sculpted), ca. 1867 (cast)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
This plaster cast was made after the original in the Museo Nazionale (Bargello) in Florence made by Andrea della Robbia in the 15th century. The cast was made by the company Messrs Franchi & Son in London in about 1867.
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 | |
Title | Bust of a child (generic title) |
Materials and techniques | Plaster cast |
Brief description | Plaster cast, painted plaster, of an original glazed terracotta bust of a child, in the Museo Nazionale (Bargello), by Andrea della Robbia, Florence, ca. 1460-1490, cast by Messrs Franchi & Son, London, ca.1867 |
Physical description | Plaster cast of a glazed terracotta bust of a child. |
Dimensions |
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Object history | Purchased from Messrs Franchi & Son in 1867 for £1. |
Historical context | This bust may represent the youthful Christ and may once have had a pendant figure of the young St John the Baptist similar to the companion figure of a child (museum no. 1888-509). |
Subjects depicted | |
Summary | This plaster cast was made after the original in the Museo Nazionale (Bargello) in Florence made by Andrea della Robbia in the 15th century. The cast was made by the company Messrs Franchi & Son in London in about 1867. 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.1867-182 |
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Record created | September 22, 2006 |
Record URL |
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