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Open Daily: 10am - 10pm | Alley-side Pickup: 10am - 7pm
3038 Hennepin Ave Minneapolis, MN
612-822-4611
Ancient Plaster: Casting Light on a Forgotten Sculptural Material

Ancient Plaster: Casting Light on a Forgotten Sculptural Material

Hardcover

Series: Proceedings of the British Academy

Art HistorySculpting

Currently unavailable to order

ISBN10: 0197267939
ISBN13: 9780197267936
Publisher: British Academy
Published: Aug 28 2025
Pages: 418
Language: English

Ancient Plaster: Casting Light on a Forgotten Sculptural Material offers a fresh exploration of plaster in the sculpture of the ancient Mediterranean and beyond. Challenging the traditional focus on marble and bronze, this volume reveals the crucial role of plaster both in the sculptor's workshop and as a medium for finished sculpture. Combining academic insights with contemporary artists' perspectives, the book also delves into the controversial topic of life-casting in antiquity and provides groundbreaking new interpretations of well-known plaster objects such as those from the Roman city of Baiae, near Naples. With chapters extending the chronological and geographical scope to early modern Europe and contemporary art school contexts, the book illuminates plaster's versatility and the continuity of its use across millennia. By rehabilitating this material, often overlooked or lost to the archaeological record, the volume offers a transformative view of ancient sculpture, appealing to both scholars and art enthusiasts alike.

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