New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-07-29
HOY CASTS IRE TAKEN.
TIE WORK OF AN ARTIST IN PLASTER.

THE WORK Of AN AHIloI IN PLAoIrh.
In the midst of the hustle of Grand-st., iusI
east OF Broadway. stands plainookng, three-story
building No. 143 Surrounded by an atmosphere Of
restless business activity, it nevertheless bias the APP
pearance within of vertable abode OF silence. Mono
of the hurrying passersby would suspect that Its 'front.'
wall hides from city Of the dead" the miniature
streets of which lined with the forms of many who
have gone the great majority. 1t may be entered
without dlsmay. however, for It's sheeted dead arc
pastercasts quite unable to squeak and gibber
though many have indeed speaking" likeness Hers
may found the gods and goddessss, the emperors.
generals statesmen and authors or the ent world
and famed OF the modern world WELL In the con-
structve economy Of this museum the distinctions Of
caste observed ia outside world longer found
On the same shelf are the "Ox-eyed Juno Queen Of
Heaven and the "Greek slave, Jupiter Tonans and
the "supplicant YOUTH" Augustus and the "Dying
Gladiator" Nero and St. Francis, the Madonna and .
Venus. Here Mercury is ever newlighted on heaven
kissing h" there the heroic Pslas Athene stands with
upright spear Diana the Chaste again starts for tho
chase Dscobolus quite lets 20 his quoit On
the extended of the Fighting Gladiator the blow is
ever coming of old About scattered relieves Of
fruits flowers aud leaves; animal forms and heads
umbled together in happy family; prizes, medaious.
vases pedestals and brackets Ill the intersces One
feature collection the fractions Of the human
body, suggested the following conversation between
TRIBUNE reporter and the proprietor c. Ginocchio.
docs any come here to have a cast made OF
an arm or hand or a Leg and what is the process and
time taken {"
1--WE have frequent calls for casts Of hands; not So
much for arms legs The casting varies IN regard 10
the time leg taking much longer Of course,
than foot a hand. The process. however, is the
same all these First the hand covered with
plaster from an inch to an inch and a half thick We
wait till this settles and grows lukewarm, perhaps
twenty minutes In tho case OF hand. Then with q
string the plaster cut into sections and removed
is put together again. the inside hollow having the
exact shape lines and thickness OF that part OF the body
to which plaster applied. This hollow is next
washed with oil, because are now to Ill it with plas
ter aud this must not be allowed to stick las 1t would
without the OLD to the outside plaster first put Then
the mould thus filed, Is laid away for five hours or so
in the OF hand. Afterward. the workman chseis
Formed n WITHIN Ths OF course reaes care and de
cacy lest the inside hand be cut ghe chselng takes
q half day, and the whole operation consumes q
day. Two days required for leg arm"
For what purpose, asked the reporter are these
casts generally made T.
For personal qualification for surgical operations
"a surgeon frequently finding east OF distorted or
performed. Also you know art schools need them for
anatomical study. cast is copied in marble some
is the mask OF the human face taken IRON life :"
"Yes, 1t Is done. We have taken such mask several
times, though dislike 1t and will probably refuse to
do 40 again. The plaster Is put on In three sections
section and line reaching from the centre Of tue fore
head down TO the tip or the dividing the rest OF the
lace INTO TWO sections sinah pipe Is passed throngn
likely stick any hairs the face and hurts deli
skin. Our charge for this Is eight times
as much for a hand you that regard 1t a
matter requiring great care"
" suppose you are called upon to make masks OF dead
mems faces O.
YES and busts too The cost OF these is rather hgh
$15 for the mask and $50 for the bust but have mad
a number OF calls In that department OF work THIS
operation requires more time than Others, half day
being needed for applying and removing the plaster and
then three days more for the mask and week for tho
bust"
Are there ever cases OF monstrosities applying for
casts Of themselves 3"
well don't know that You would call this case OF
monstrosity, but one woman recently had leg taken
In plaster just above the knee which measured twenty
two inches. II was to be put in showcase, she sad