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 |
|
| 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 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | September 22, 2006 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
