The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1890-12-04

HEAL. MODEL READY FOR THE WAX &.
supplemented by two OF three figures so
realistic rs to suggest to the intelligent
observer that: there we're possibilities in
wax figures previously unknown in
America. -
The wax work. of to-day have reached
probably the highest degreee of excel
lence. The well-executed figure hus all
the grace that. a living figure could show
if posed IN as immoyable style as the
other. They all look stif to the eye
which fingers on them for any length of
time, because they are absolutely motion
less.
A single glance at.a good figure will
find in it not only good pose, but what
the artist calls action, but when the eye
gets more accustomed to the work its i'm
movability soon suggests a stiffness that
is really not evidshta ~.
Some years ago several expert wax
figure makers, frenchmen for the most
part, were brought to this country. The
leading man in an establishment of this
kind is the sculptor To secure good
results it is necessary that the sculptor
should be highly capable. At the present
time Mr.. Teinberg is at the head of a
corps of assistants in a suite of rooms
which are filled with lifelike figures in all
degrees of preparation.
When single figure or group is
needed the sculptor gets together his
pictorial matter, if the order is for some
thing historical, and with the aid of this
material he makes a careful drawing,
showing the figures properly draped, and
in addition, all the accessories that would
30 in TO the completed work. This sketch
being approved, a small model in bas.
relief is made of the whole design, and
this miniature design being approved, OF
altered unit! satisfactory to the committee
the actual work is begun.
As the average wax tixurc is the re-
production of some man or woman of note
in past or present the greatest skill on
the part of the sculptor is necessary to
produce q likcnes. Very often there is
nothing but portrait to work from, and
that is not always in the exact shape or
position that the group calls for.
There have been many instances, how
ever, where living celebrities have con-
sented to pose for the sculptor, and thus
made strong work possible. Mr.. Con-
slant Thys, a skilful "cirier," as the
French term it; aword which fully trans,
lated means "waxcr," told the writer
that the difficulties experienced in por-
traiturc were the most cxhausting part OF
of the work.
When tue sculptor has secured all the
material possible he begins to shape q
head in clay. If the design calls for ar
! exposure OF the body below the neck, as
in the case of savage, the shoulders art
reproduced in clay as we'll as the head
If the face is IL bearded one the beard i:
modelled III form, and naturally to Sc
cure a likeness the hair of the head is
alsn formed.
When the head is finished in clay it il
approved either as regards its proper
tions or its likeness to the original, ant
when so approved it is ready for the mold
CT to handle.
The next operation is an important
one, Us it means to a certain extent, the
destroyal of the likeness obtained b.
long and patient work. This operation
is the cutting away Of all the clay which
represents the hair and beard OF tn
ori ginal. This mutilatlon is necessary
because The hair and beard are to b
mat;e eventually of the real article.
The lead OF clay, when stripped, l
row oiled and then covered by Mr.. BERT
the sculpior's assistant, with Il coating Q
plaster OF Paris about three or four inche
thick. In ten minutes this coating
partially hardened and the work of cut
ting the mold into pieces is begun.
sharp knife will cut through this dough
like substance, now too soft to chip an
too hard 10 run.
When The mold is cut in five or 81
pieces the lowest end, at tho base of tn
neck, is cut away in the centre, leavin
an opening about five inches in diameter
if the head is life size. On one of tn
cut sides of each piece the artist make
two or thee holes at intervals of thre
inches. Oh Lie piece which fits agains
it he places little dabs of soft plaster
The holes are now oiled and the Who'll
mold is put together again. The sol
plaster dabs are now allowed to hardel