The herald., 1894-12-10
BUILDING a STATUE.
The Mechanical Part OF tao Work Rc-
Quires Great Skill.

After the artist has got a clear idea
Of the thing he is going to do he makes
a clay model or sketch or study
figure" commonly about 2 feet in
height, which is formed in potter's clay
and enables tho artist to experiment
with the action and draping of the figure,
as the parts can be readily bent and
pushed about, fer, however clearly the
image may be defined in the mind, as
| the work progresses notifications are
suggested which tempt the artist to
vary from tho original conception. This
preliminary study may engage his at
tention through several months, rs upon
it depend the composition and character
of the full size statue.
Having completed the study figure,
preparations are made for tho larger
work. We will assume that tho statue
is to be male figure, of heroic size,
standing in all easy, upright posture
and clothed with the ordinary malo at
tire. A low, strongly constructed bench
known as ''banca"--is placed in u
proper relation to the lighting of the
studio. Upon this bench somewhat
rude but carefully constructed iron
framework is erected corresponding i'll
its general features to the human skele'
ton and consisting of an iron standard
firmly fastened to the top Of tho bcnch
and long enough to reach the top of tho
breast bone.
A piece of stout lead pipe, long enough
to nearly reach the crown of tho head,
is attached to the upper end OF tho
standard, which enables the modeier to
givo the desired action to tho head by
bending tho neck of tho figure. A CROSS
piece Of wood or iron is firmly fastened
to the standard at the line of the shoul-
ders, to either end of which is attached
a piece of lead pipe representing the
bones of the arm. A similar crosspiece
is placed at tho line of the hips, to one
end of which is attached piece of lead
pipe, which serves as the bones of the
leg, which may be slightly bent at the
knee, and is also firmly fastened to the
top of tho bench, the iron standard,
which is tho main support of the figure,
serving similar purpose for the other
limb. The lengths, positions and bend
ings'of these several pieces must be de-
tcrmined with absolute accuracy to keep
the metal within tho outline of the fig
ure and to avoid their interference with
the modelling of tho surface parts.
From all parts of the framework
largo number of small wooden crosses
arc suspended by copper wire, which
servo as supports to the mass of clay,
which in its plastic state will settle
and defeat the best efforts of the modeler.
The soft clay is now firmly packed with
the hands around the various parts of
the skeleton until the effigy begins to
assume the proportions and outline OF
the human figure. The utmost care is
required in placing the shoulders, hips,
knee joints and other salient points in
their precise proper relation to each 9TH
er, for not only the pose and proper
tions, but the success of the draping
depend upon accuracy in these particu
lars. The figure is first carefully model
ed in a nudo condition, and then the
drapery is laid ON fold by fold, all being
carefully reproduced from the prelimi-
nary sketch model and improved by
constant reference to real clothing
worn by Il living person employed for
the purpose. During the progress of
such q work, which may occupy tho
sculptor one or two years, the clay re-
quires constant attention to avoid dry
ing, settling and cracking, and is kept
in proper condition by a judicious
sprinkling of water several times each
day and ths immediate filling with
fresh clay of every appearance of crack.
As soon as the statue is completed in
clay and while yet i'll plastic condition
mold is made over it with plaster of
paris ina manner that admits of its be-
ing lifted away from the clay model in
sections of convenient size. This process
involves the destruction of the clay
model, but a perfect matrix or mold is
secured, into which fresh plaster is cast,
and when this is sufficiently set the
mold is Clipped off with chisel and
mallet, leaving perfect reproduction
of the clay figure in pure white plaster.
If the final work is to be in marble, tie
plaster cast is given over { ,l expert
marble worker, who by l. ,Ianical
means reduces the block of marble to a
facsimile of the plaster If the statue Is
to be in bronze, the model is placed in
the hands of tho bronze founders.
Monument Sculptor and Decorator.