Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-12-06
CAST OF A NUDE GIRL BY A DE
TROIT SCULPTOR.
EXQUISITE EXAMPLE OF THE
ARTISTS SKILL.
Perfect Representation Of a Living
Model in a Position Of Perfect Pose
"Details of the Work-How 1t Was
Done-An Interested Crop.

museum OF art by Director A. ii. Crit
fifth last week, and a perfect ;inatomic
representation Of the model will be
seen when the museum is again
thrown open to the public
The figure is that of a girl of about
Is years of age. The position is one of
perfect rest and, although nude, con-
tains no idea of immodesty. The cast
of the girl is in reclining position, the
right hand underneath the head and
the legs slightly drawn up with the
right foot under the left leg.
The casting of a human figure from
live model has never been attempted
before, as far as known, in this city,
and the successful completion of the
effort made by Director Griffith last
week is already attracting the atten.
ton of artists, many having called at
the museum in order to view his work.
says the Detroit Tribune.
Hands, feet and other parts of the
body are oftel. made from life" said
Mr.. Griffith yesterday, land are used
by art students and sculptors for the
purposes of study. Now and then
some one will volunteer to have casts
of their faces taken. This, of course,
requires courage on the part of the
victim and an equal amount of exper-
fence on the part of the operator. 1t
is very rarely that the whole figure is
enveloped in plaster and a successful
cast aftcrward taken from the mold so
formed.
"There was a vague rumOr that this
was done at Chicago during the model
ing of some of the figures that decor
ated the worlds fair buildings. No one
st ned able to verify it. The lower
half of nude body alone seemed to
be produced in this manner. About
year ago | wanted a finale torso. Sc
lectlng a willing model 1 now have it,
and it is used by the students OF the
art school. The cast was successful
one and proved Il welcome addition to
the models used by the classes.
The thought came to me then to
make full figure. Up to the present
time | have neither had the time OF
or the model from which to make it."
Among the list of models who find
employment at the art school is a
worthy family of five, all of whom
have served as models at different
times. One of this family is girl
about 16 years of age, who, after
talk on the subject consented to I'M
dergo the ordeal.
The hour appointed as the one to be-
gin work arrived. The model, her sis
ter Director Griffith and young man
to act as attendant repaired to what
Director Griffith calls his workshop.
He was anxious to have the position
decided upon in his mind appear as
natural and artistic as possible The
eyes must be closed. This became a
question of considerable moment,
while a position of the body to accord
with the closed eyes became a matter
of much more prominence. After this
had been decided upon the difficulty
of diSpoSiug of the hands and feet haze
to be settled.
A bed of plaster, about inches thick.
Is inches wide and 6 feet long had
been prepared as a base for the cast
ON this the model had been placed and
position after position had been
changed. Fully two hours had been
consumed in securing what was
thought to be restful and graceful
pose, so that the plaster reproduction
of the girl would appear in a natural
sleeping position.
The placing of the hands became a
perplcxing problem. The wonderful
expression of the hand became appar-
eDt. When it was placed ever so care
lessly upon the breast it took away all
idea of sleep, and gave the impression
that the model was but feigning sleep
1t was finally decided that the left
hand resting lightly on the side as
though in moment it would slip
away and change position seemed to
be by far the most satisfactory and
natural. Even the placing of the
limbs so that they might not appear
awkward and ungraceful required
time, patience and thoughtful consid-
Grafton.
All was arranged at last, and the
model was asked if she could hold
these positions. Her answer was to
the effect that she was willing to make
the effort, even though it would re.
Quile ulduS houiS Will only du OCcd
Sional rest
The satisfactory position being Sc
cured, the outline was carefully
marked on a sheet underneath the
model for fear that through some acci
dent she might move from it. For in
stance, she might shrink when the
cold mixed plaster touched her person
She was constantly being reminded b!
Mr. Griffith while marking the outlin,
to keep perfectly STILL"
She complained that the hard mat
tress was hurting the hip on which
she lay. A rest was then granted he
by Mr.. Griffith.
The first thing done after again as
Stunning position was the covering O.
her figure by her sister with vaseline
Mr.. Griffith explained that 'soap mad,
into thick suds is sometimes used. bu
although it has its advantages it il
never so satisfactory as vaseline, as i
is apt to Dry before the plaster i
ready to be removed, causing it to sticl
to the person" The position of tn
model, although an easy one, was tire
some after a while and she kept ura
ing the operator to hurry"
After another rest, during which a
immense bucket of plaster of Pari
was mixed, the chosen position wa
again assumed. The mixed plaste
:.