The
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In
2001, I learned how to use the point system and calipers to quickly
complete the rough modeling of a maquette in a block of marble. For
an over-life size torso of a woman, that took about 3 weeks of the 4
week workshop. So, this year, I decided to have Mirio do the rough modeling
prior to my arrival. Then I could focus my efforts on learning how to
do the finish modeling and perhaps even the final sanding of my piece.
I also wanted to learn techniques for carving hands, feet, and the face
from the highly skilled artigiani of Pietrasanta. To make this easier,
I asked Mirio to double the size of my maquette. When I arrived, I was
intimidated by the size and complexity of the work I needed to accomplish.
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On my arrival |
Nearly done |
Nearly done |
Nearly Done |
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The
Face |
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At first glance, I was impressed
by how far Mirio had taken the modeling. Four weeks later, we were rushing
to finish. Figurative marble sculpture is a lot of work. Mirio has always
been very supportive of my work. This year, he arranged for Guiseppe
Landhi to help me, one of the finest anatomic modelers in the world.
Beppie (short for Guiseppe in Tuscany) had just retired and turned down
two other jobs to work with me on this piece. Mirio jokes that Beppie
works as a hairdresser at night. Notice the beautiful hair. When we
were near completion, Beppie told me that she has blond hair and dark
eyes. Can you tell? |
On my arrival |
Nearly done |
Nearly Done
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Nearly Done |
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The
Hair |
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Mirio jokes that Beppie works
as a hairdresser at night. Beppie showed me how to make beautiful hair.
When we were near completion, Beppie told me that she has blond hair
and dark eyes. Can you tell? |
Hair Just Started |
Nearly done |
Nearly done |
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The Hands |
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In Pietrasanta in 2001,
I found that the artigiani all had custom tools, many 40 or more years
old and not available
commercially. Just like the artigiani, the blacksmith who made these
tools was retired. I was told that he does still make tools when asked
but I never managed to find him. As soon as I arrived, I asked Mirio
to contact the blacksmith and he did. I was able to buy some tools
that I knew I needed. Good thing because every time Beppie started
to show
me how to carve a new part of the body, he pulled out tools I had never
seen before. You need special tools to carve eyes lids and fingers
and underneath the leg. I called and asked the blacksmith to come back
four
times, to meet with me and Beppie to make some more tools for me. When
I told the blacksmith that I certainly hoped I would be able to carve
like Beppie with my new tools. He diplomatically responded, "With better
tools, I am certain that you will carve better". On the very last day,
Beppie pulled out a tool I had never seen, smiled, and said "you don't
have one of these!" |
On my arrival |
On my arrival |
In progress |
Nearly done |
Nearly don |
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The Feet |
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On my arrival |
In Progress |
Nearly done |
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Learning
and Leaving |
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Mirio and Beppie and Livio
have been working as artigiani for as long as 50 years, they have all
reproduced the masters and executed the works of many famous artists
of this century. They are astonishingly skilled. They learned through
apprenticeship and that is how they teach. They are not particularly
articulate about the details of the craft, though all of them could
immediately tell when I had not used the rasp correctly for the final
modeling of the surface and would show me how to do it again (and again,
and again). They say to "steal with your eyes" as they model an eyelid
or shape an ear. All of them know what is beautiful, and Livio in particular
gave loving and sharply intuitive advice about what each of us needed
to progress in our work. |
Learning from Mirio |
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Learning from Beppi |
Nearing the finish line |
Crating |
Boxed and ready to ship |
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