The full-size plaster models that represented the passage from a preliminary designing phase to the production of the marble sculpture were of great significance to Italian sculptor Antonio Canova's creative process. As the subtitle emphasises, the temporal dimension holds great importance in the neoclassic sculptor's creative and productive phases: the plaster artefact posits a before and an after. Before comes the preparatory study; after is the finished work. Plaster stands in between, it is central. The plaster forms are not the finished works, however they contain all their power and potential. This volume explores this meaningful and little-known phase in the creative process of Antonio Canova, along with quality close-up photo sequences that expose the plaster surfaces, bringing a greater focus and appreciation to the plaster form.

This study of the monument of Godfrey of Bouillon offers new insights to the political uses of public monuments devoted to figures from the past, modern uses and appropriations of the Middle Ages, and the role of historical culture in the creation of national identity. On 15 August 1848, a bronze equestrian statue of the crusading hero Godfrey of Bouillon (d.1100) was unveiled in the Place Royale in Brussels, Belgium's capital. Conceived and largely funded by the national government, its creation was a major element in a programme of political and cultural consolidation put into place after the Belgian Revolution (1830-1831) and the consequent establishment of the nation's independence. From the outset, the monument was designed to transmit ideas about history and nationhood, and functioned as a focal point in discussions of politics, language, religion and identity. This book sheds new light on a range of dynamics in nineteenth-century Belgium, using the statue as a prism; it investigates responses to it both home and abroad, and traces broader national interest in the commemoration of Godfrey, adopted as a national hero despite being born almost 800 years before the emergence of the state. Above all, it reveals that Belgian politics and culture in this period were profoundly shaped by a sustained interest in the Middle Ages, and by efforts to shape a historical narrative that traced Belgian nationhood back to that era, and beyond.

This comprehensive sourcebook is destined to become a lasting and definitive resource on the art and aesthetic philosophy of the American artist David Smith (1906-1965). A pioneer of twentieth-century modernism, Smith was renowned for the expansive formal and conceptual ambitions of his broadly diverse and inventive welded-steel abstractions. His groundbreaking achievements drew freely on cubism, surrealism, and constructivism, profoundly influencing later movements such as minimalism and environmental art. By radically challenging older conventions of monolithic figuration and refuting arbitrary distinctions between painters and sculptors, Smith asserted sculpture's equal role in advancing modern art. A compilation of Smith's poems, sketchbook notes, essays, lectures, letters to the editor, reviews, and interviews, these previously unpublished texts underscore the varied ways in which his writing functioned as a means to examine and articulate his private identity and to promote the social ideals that made him a key participant in contemporary discourses surrounding modernism, art and politics, and sculptural aesthetics. All the documents in David Smith: Collected Writings, Lectures, and Interviews have been newly corrected against the original manuscripts, typescripts, and audiotapes. Each text in this collection is annotated with historical and contextual information that reflects Smith's own process of continually reviewing and revising his writings in response to his evolving aspirations as a visual artist.

This creative guide to fashioning a hand-carved wooden nativity scene includes 15 patterns for every character present in the traditional Christmas story from the holy family and the three kings to shepherds and barnyard animals. An overview of tools, sharpening techniques, wood selection, and basic carving cuts is provided. The figurines of Joseph, Mary, and baby Jesus are included with step-by-step instructions from the first to the final cut.

Luisa Lambri's art revolves around the human condition and its relationship with space, touching on areas such as the politics of representation, architecture, the history of abstract photography, modernism, feminism, identity and memory. The title of the exhibition presented at PAC, in Milan, is a tribute to Carla Lonzi who, in 1969, published "Autoritratto", a collection of interviews with avant-garde artists that revealed their private sides. In the same way, Lambri constructs personal and intimate readings of the subjects of her photographs and encourages a dialogue between the observer, the work of art and the space. Light, time and movement play an important role in her work, where slight differences reflect the artist's movement within the space. Lambri uses architecture to create her images, rather than images to document architecture, revealing negligible details of modernist architecture or iconic minimalist sculptures. At PAC, her works relate to the unique qualities of the architecture designed by Ignazio Gardella, for which the exhibition was specifically developed. Text in English and Italian.

The book contains a review of Patrick Hamilton's artistic career, from his beginnings with the series Project, - covering works of architecture, which began in 1996, two years before graduating from art school - to his most recent works. Driven by a desire to move painting onto another plane, Hamilton has created a body of work along object- and concept-based lines with a foundation in his interest towards cultural, historical and literary research. Using the starting point of Santiago, the city where he has lived and worked until recently, Hamilton has woven together countless works over a time period equivalent to a career that has now lasted nearly twenty years. The visual metaphors, popular myths and historical events in them are given form in an impeccable conceptual and visual presentation, which he uses to look for answers to all of the questions which arise on a daily basis in the society of which he forms a part as a citizen and artist. His work takes place mainly in the field of photography, collage, objects and installations and includes a reflection on the concepts of work, inequality, architecture and history - particularly of Chile post-dictatorship. In this sense it is an aesthetic reflection on the consequences of the 'neoliberal revolution' implanted in Chile during the '80s and its projection in the social and cultural field from then until now. Patrick Hamilton (Leuven, Belgium, 1974) has a degree in Art from the University of Chile. He received a Guggenheim fellowship in 2007. He has had exhibitions at numerous international institutions and has taken part in the Venice Biennale with Chile. He lives and works in Madrid.

Combining stunning photographs with expert knowledge, this book is a dazzling guide to precious stones, organic gems, and precious metals. Discover the intriguing stories of the world's most famous and fabulous gems, including the mysterious Hope Diamond, the stunning Koh-i-Noor of the Crown Jewels, and exquisite Fabergé eggs. Trace the history of gemmology, learn all about the key characteristics of precious and semi-precious stones, and discover the science behind some of their more unusual and mysterious properties. With a foreword by antiques expert Judith Miller, co-founder of Miller's Antiques Price Guide, and a regular presenter on BBC's The Antiques Roadshow, this sumptuous celebration of gems and jewels is guaranteed to bring sparkle to both your life and your library. Dive deep into the pages of this dazzling book on jewels to discover: - Hundreds of specially commissioned, spectacular photographs. - Intriguing features on the history of gemstones, and the fascinating real-life stories behind them. - Stunning photography showcases the brilliance of semi-precious and precious stones, minerals, and metals. - Fascinating features on the most famous (and infamous) gems, and on the history of gemmology. - Optional 80-page directory section Jewel is the ultimate guide to gemstones, jewels, and jewellery - combining mineralogy with culture, history, and symbolism, and proves the perfect addition to the library of jewel lovers of any ages. Whether you're interested in gems, jewellery, and making jewellery, or a student of gemmology or geology, this gorgeous gem gift book is sure to delight.

Robert Hodgins is a celebrated and highly respected South African artist. Hodgin's paintings and works on paper are highly sought after on both the local and international market. At 88, Hodgins is still producing witty and satirical works. He has been producing ceramic works for almost 2 decades, however these works have received very little exposure and the last exhibition of his ceramic works was about 18 years ago. Retief van Wyk is a ceramicist who has worked closely with Hodgins in the production of these ceramic works. Their association spans nearly 2 decades. In this title van Wyk documents the ceramic works produced by Hodgins with his assistance and the well researched essays explore the influences which form Hodgins' art and the nature of the ceramic works.

The first true monograph on the work of celebrated French conceptual artist and sculptor Bernar Venet Bernar Venet is one of France's most celebrated living artists. Having emerged from the late 1960s avant-garde scene in New York, Venet developed a personal aesthetic based on an innovative use of mathematics and science, where control, chance, and chaos converge to form a fine equilibrium while investigating their relationship with the environment. Conversant in many media, Venet is mostly known for his monumental outdoor sculptures in major cities worldwide and, in fall 19, his Arc Majeur is due for completion at a site in Belgium - at almost 200 feet in height (60 metres), Venet's sculpture will be taller than New York's Statue of Liberty.

Greek Art and Aesthetics in the Fourth Century B.C. analyzes the broad character of art produced during this period, providing in-depth analysis of and commentary on many of its most notable examples of sculpture and painting. Taking into consideration developments in style and subject matter, and elucidating political, religious, and intellectual context, William A. P. Childs argues that Greek art in this era was a natural outgrowth of the high classical period and focused on developing the rudiments of individual expression that became the hallmark of the classical in the fifth century. As Childs shows, in many respects the art of this period corresponds with the philosophical inquiry by Plato and his contemporaries into the nature of art and speaks to the contemporaneous sense of insecurity and renewed religious devotion. Delving into formal and iconographic developments in sculpture and painting, Childs examines how the sensitive, expressive quality of these works seamlessly links the classical and Hellenistic periods, with no appreciable rupture in the continuous exploration of the human condition. Another overarching theme concerns the nature of "style as a concept of expression," an issue that becomes more important given the increasingly multiple styles and functions of fourth-century Greek art. Childs also shows how the color and form of works suggested the unseen and revealed the profound character of individuals and the physical world.

This definitive edition collects all of Kilian Eng's otherworldly landscapes and retro-futuristic illustrations in one massive volume, including previously unpublished works. Each dreamlike image immerses the viewer in a unique environment, full of engrossing detail and surreal beauty.

So you've graduated. What now? Where do you live? Can you afford to live? How can you make money doing design? How do you get a job? Who do you want to work for and are you good enough? This book is a comprehensive and insightful guide to anything and everything that is of use to those looking to break into the creative industries, sharing experiences, ideas, advice, criticism, and encouragement. With sections covering education, portfolios, jobs/freelancing, working process, and personal development, this straight-talking, funny, and frequently irreverent guide is a must-read for all creative arts students.

Volumes that are massive yet lightweight, the sculptures of British artist Anthony Cragg firmly take hold of the space without seeming static. They are dynamic objects that bear trace of the process that created them: starting from in many cases figurative drawings to encountering the artist s chosen material, guided by inner force. Cragg s sculptures reveal the infinite possibilities of form. They seem to obey the laws of nature that govern living organisms, evolving from one another and growing upon themselves. This new book features new work by Anthony Cragg shown in a recent exhibition at Museo Nivola in Orani, Sardinia. Illustrated in color throughout, it offers also an essay exploring Cragg s art by British scholar and curator Mark Gisbourne. Text in English and Italian.

This book contains a step-by-step project and 20 further original patterns from acclaimed artist Lora S. Irish. It includes tips for creating detailed facial features like eyelids, windswept hair, beards and more. The relief carving process is clearly explained from start to finish. With this book any carver can stand beside the workbench of acclaimed artist Lora S. Irish and learn everything she has to teach about creating an expressive wood spirit. Lora clearly explains the relief carving process from start to finish: every cut, every tool change, and every depth check. The entire craft is here, from preparing the wood to roughing out and detailing the wood spirit to applying a long-lasting finish. No step is left out and no technique is left unexplained. The author shares her tips for creating realistic and detailed facial features like eyelids, windswept hair, beards, and the ever-important mustache. Best of all, when the step-by-step project is complete, Relief Carving Wood Spirits, Revised Edition offers 20 more original patterns to keep any carver busy for seasons to come.

- First book to chronicle the life and artwork of June Schwarcz, a pioneer craftsperson in the enamel and decorative arts fieldJune Schwarcz (1918-2015) was among the most innovative artists working in the contemporary enamels field. Best known for her electroplated metal sculpture embellished with rich enamel color, she produced an extensive body of work that, while linked to long-standing vessel-making traditions, defied convention. In a field known for visual opulence, preciousness, and adherence to traditional craft practices, Schwarcz was a renegade. She learned enameling on her own and adopted a highly experimental approach to process, inventing new ways of creating sculptural objects in metal and unorthodox strategies for their embellishment. Believing in the power of opposing principles, she created forms that were at once raw and elemental, elegantly composed, and lushly beautiful. A seminal figure in the American craft field, Schwarcz led enameling workshops across the country and influenced several generations of young and emerging artists. She also played a central role in the craft community of the San Francisco Bay Area, where she lived and worked for more than fifty years. June Schwarcz: Artist in Glass and Metal is the first publication to investigate Schwarcz's work in depth. It explores the rich trajectory of her career along with the sources and influences that helped shape and define her singular vision. It also investigates the themes and subjects that intrigued her as it examines the role she played in advancing enameling in America in the late twentieth century. This lavishly illustrated publication celebrates the extraordinary body of work Schwarcz created over a period of sixty years.

In Brave Birds, cut-paper artist and writer Maude White presents an entirely new collection of sixty-five stunning cut-paper birds. As a source of inspiration, each bird is paired with an original message of kindness and strength associated with its particular traits to encourage bravery and perseverance. Inside, you'll find birds for experiencing Joy, Creativity, Patience, Kindness, Resilience, Communication, Strength, Awareness, Action, and Transformation, and each composition, beautifully photographed by Laura Glazer, reflects thousands of intricate cuts, lending an astounding level of texture to these delicate and ethereal creatures. Appealing to any bird lover or collector of bird art, Brave Birds is a beautiful resource for those wishing to practice a life of kindness and empathy.