| Sculptural Glossary: |
Sculpture Glossary
1/1This is another way of saying that the piece is only going to have one cast made , as in the case of some comissions, or sometimes in the case of a portrait. More usually it is with a sculpture that is fabricated rather than cast. Simply it is one of one ,a one off, or unique and no more will ever be made. |
Anima and AnimusThe Anima and Animus, are in Carl Jung's school of analytical psychology, the unconscious or true inner self of an individual, as opposed to the persona, or outer aspect of the personality. In the unconscious of the male, it finds expression as a feminine inner personality: anima; equivalently, in the unconscious of the female, it is expressed as a masculine inner personality: animus. |
armatureAn armature is an internal frame or skeleton which supports a modelled sculpture. A typical armature for a small sculpture is made of heavy gauge wire, bent and twisted to form the basic shape. Often the armature is designed to leave one or more pins protruding from the base of the finished sculpture to facilitate attaching it to the plinth. |
Artist's Edition.This is a term that refers to the extra casting an artist is allowed to make after the stated edition has been sold. It is theoretically for the artists collection, but more generally to be sold because it has been a popular piece.Traditionally editions are in nines in the Uk and America; France goes to twelve,but the artist has to state what number he is aiming for at the first casting.Unlimited ones don't have to state this but are sometimes marked in a catalogue or on the piece as unlimited. |
assemblageAn assemblage is a sculpture constructed from found objects. Typically an assemblage does not disguise the original objects used, rather it either tries to show them in a new light, or forms a figurative sculpture from the collection of shapes. |
carvingCarving is one of the oldest sculptural techniques. It is a reductive process; starting with a solid block, the sculptor removes material using chisels and other tools to 'reveal' the finished form. Traditional carving materials include stone, especially marble, and fine grained woods. |
castingCasting is a method of producing one or more copies of a sculpture. Typically, the original sculpture is modelled as usual and covered with a moulding material which sets hard when dry. The mould is then separated to release the original sculpture. Once the mould is reassembled, the casting material is poured in to the void and left to set. Traditionally, molten bronze is used as the casting material, but modern alternatives include resin. When the cast sculpture has cooled, or cured, the mould is again separated to release it, and reassembled ready to cast the next copy.The cast sculpture may then require some finishing work to remove mould lines and other imperfections. The sculptor may also wish to patinate the work to produce the final piece.... |
ContrappostoContrapposto is an Italian term meaning "counterpoise" used in the visual arts to describe a human figure standing with most of its weight on one foot so that its shoulders and arms twist off-axis from the hips and legs. This gives the figure a more dynamic, or alternatively relaxed appearance. It can also encompass the tension as a figure changes from resting on a given leg to walking or running upon it (so-called ponderation). |
Finiala sculpted decoration at the top of a gable, spire, or arched structure. |
Kinetic sculptureKinetic sculpture is sculpture which is designed to move. The movement can be driven by interaction with the viewer, or automatically using motors or air currents, as in the case of a mobile. |
maquetteA maquette is a small scale model for a finished sculpture. It is used to visualise and test shapes and ideas without incurring the cost and effort of producing a full scale sculpture. It is the analogue of the painter's cartoon or sketch.For commissioned sculptures, especially monumental public sculptures, a maquette may be used to show the client how the finished work will fit in the proposed site. |
Medium: AlabasterUsually a type of gypsum and usually white in colour. A very soft stone. |
Medium: Arabescato marbleArabescato is a predominately or mainly white Marble from Italy. |
Medium: Bateig sandstoneA sandstone from the Bateig region in Spain. |
Medium: Bath StoneBath Stone is a freestone, one that can be sawn or `squared up` in any direction. Sources mainly from the southwest of England. Warm and honey coloured. |
Medium: Borriol marbleA red marble from Borriol (Castellon), Spain. |
Medium: BrassBrass is any alloy of copper and zinc; the proportions of zinc and copper can be varied to create a range of brasses with varying properties. In comparison, bronze is principally an alloy of copper and tin. Despite this distinction, some types of brasses are called bronzes. Brass has a muted yellow color, somewhat similar to gold. It is relatively resistant to tarnishing. |
Medium: BronzeBronze is a metal alloy consisting primarily of copper, usually with tin as the main additive, but sometimes with other elements such as phosphorus, manganese, aluminum, or silicon. |
Medium: Carrara marbleCarrara is a city in the province of Massa-Carrara (Tuscany, Italy), famous for the white or blue-gray marble quarried there. It is on the Carrione river, some 100 km west-northwest of Florence. |
Medium: Clipsham limestoneClipsham is a village well-known for its limestone quarries, located in the county of Rutland in the East Midlands of England. This stone is from the Lincolnshire limestone formation. |
Medium: Cold Cast Marble / Bronze ResinA modern method of casting sculptures in which the casting material is a resin mixed with powdered bronze. The finished sculpture has a surface which looks very similar to a traditionally cast bronze although it tends to be much lighter. |
Medium: Colorado Yule marbleYule Marble is found in the West Elk Mountains of Colorado near the town of Marble, Colorado, USA. It is famous for its uniform pure white consistency. |
Medium: Kilkenny limestoneA deep blue black to subtle blue grey material.Suitable for indorrs and outside use. From Kilkenny, Ireland. |
Medium: LabradorLabrador is a type of granite, brown in colour. |
Medium: Lepine limestoneLépine limestone (also known as Lavoux à grain) isa limestone with some shells. It is extracted at the Lépine quarry at Lavoux, 14 km east of Poitiers (Vienne), France. It has a uniform off-white appearance and a fine rounded texture. |
Medium: Moleanos stoneA hard natural limestone from central Portugal. Extracted from the region around the town of Moleanos - Aljubarrota. |
Medium: Monk`s Park LimestoneThe Monks Park mine is in Wiltshire, UK.Less durable than stones such as Portland Whit Bed. It is a fine-grained, buff coloured stone. |
Medium: Petit GranitPetit Granit is a black Limestone from Belgium. Also known as Nero Belga or Granit de Flandre. Can be blue or black in colour. |
Medium: Phosphor bronzePhosphor bronze is an alloy of copper with 3.5 to 10% of tin and a significant phosphorus content of up to 1%. The phosphorus is added as deoxidizing agent during melting.These alloys are notable for their toughness, strength, low coefficient of friction, and fine grain. The phosphorus also improves the fluidity of the molten metal and thereby improves the castability |
Medium: Polyphant StonePolyphant is a village situated 5 miles west of the town of Launceston in Cornwall, England, UK. It lies near the convergence of the River Inny and Penpont Water. A variety of Talc, it is a greyish-green potstone flecked with white and brown. |
Medium: Richemont StoneA type of limestone. |
Medium: Statuario marbleA statuary marble, white typically polished marble with rare veins. From Carrara, Italy. Also known as White Statuaro, Bianco Statuario, Statuario Carrara and Statuario Extra. |
Medium: Travertin RomanoA beige Travertine from Italy. |
Medium: Weathering steelWeathering steel, (best-known under the trademark Corten steel) is a group of steel alloys which were developed to obviate the need for painting, and form a stable rust-like appearance if exposed to the weather for several years. The primary alloying addition in weathering steel is 2% copper. |
PatinaPatina is a film on the surface of the sculpture. It can be from weathering or applied by the artist. |
Post Nominal: UBAUnion of Bulgarian Artists (UBA) |
Post-nominal: AAEAThe American Academy of Equine Art |
Post-nominal: AFC (WNAG)Artists for Conservation Foundation formerly the Worldwide Nature Artists Group |
Post-nominal: AMNSArchives de la Manufacture Nationale de Sevres |
Post-nominal: ARBSAssociate Royal British Society of Sculptors |
Post-nominal: ARCAAlumni of the Royal College of Art |
Post-nominal: ARIBAAssociate of the Royal Institute of British Architects |
Post-nominal: ARSAAssociate Royal Scottish Academician |
Post-nominal: ARSMAAssociate Royal Society of Marine Artists |
Post-nominal: Artists Association in SmalandSmålands Konstnärsförbund, (Artists association in Småland) Sweden |
Post-nominal: ASAFSociétédes Artistes Français (Associate of the Society of French Artists) |
Post-nominal: ASWAAssociate, Society of Women Artists |
Post-nominal: ATCArt Teachers Certificate |
Post-nominal: BABachelor of Arts |
Post-nominal: BFABachelor of Fine Arts |
Post-nominal: CVOCommanders of the Royal Victorian Order |
Post-nominal: DADiploma of Art |
Post-nominal: DBSDansk Billedhuggersamfundet - The Royal DanishSociety of Sculptors. |
Post-nominal: DFADoctor of Fine Arts |
Post-nominal: Dip ADDiploma in Art and Design |
Post-nominal: DocFADoctor of Fine Arts |
Post-nominal: FBAFederation of British Artists |
Post-nominal: FRBSFellow Royal British Society of Sculptors |
Post-nominal: FRIBAFellow Royal Institute of British Architects |
Post-nominal: FRSAFellow of the Royal Society of Arts |
Post-nominal: FSDCFellow Society of Designer Craftsmen |
Post-nominal: GradDipFAGraduate Diploma in Fine Arts. |
Post-nominal: HDFAHigher Diploma in Fine Art |
Post-nominal: HRSAHonorary Royal Scottish Academician |
Post-nominal: LSDCLicentiate Society of Designer Craftsmen |
Post-nominal: MAMaster of Arts |
Post-nominal: MBBSBachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery. |
Post-nominal: MBEMember of the Order of the British Empire |
Post-nominal: MEdMaster of Education |
Post-nominal: MFAA Master of Fine Arts, sometimes attained after achiving a BFA along with a DipFA |
Post-nominal: MFADMaster of Fine Art & Design |
Post-nominal: MSDCMember Society of Designer Craftsmen |
Post-nominal: NDDNational Design Diploma |
Post-nominal: NEACNew English Art Club |
Post-nominal: NESAThe New England Sculptors Association |
Post-nominal: PGCEProfessional Certificate in Education (Teaching qualification) |
Post-nominal: PGDipFAPostgraduate Diploma in Fine Arts |
Post-nominal: PhDDoctor of Philosophy |
Post-nominal: PPRBAPast President Royal Society of British Artists |
Post-nominal: PPRBSPast President Royal British Society of Sculptors |
Post-nominal: PPRIBAPast President Royal Institute of British Architects |
Post-nominal: PPRPPast President Royal Society of Portrait Painters |
Post-nominal: PPRSMAPast President Royal Society of Marine Artists |
Post-nominal: PPRWAPast President The Royal West of England Academy |
Post-nominal: PRBSPresident Royal British Society of Sculptors |
Post-nominal: PSWAPresident, Society of Women Artists |
Post-nominal: PVPSWAPast Vice President, Society of Women Artists |
Post-nominal: RARoyal Academicians |
Post-nominal: RBARoyal Society of British Artists |
Post-nominal: RGIThe Royal Glasgow Institute of the Fine Arts |
Post-nominal: RIThe Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolours |
Post-nominal: RIBAChartered member of the Royal Institute of British Architects |
Post-nominal: RMSRoyal Society of Miniature Painters, Sculptors & Gravers |
Post-nominal: ROIRoyal Institute of Oil Painters |
Post-nominal: RPRoyal Society of Portrait Painters |
Post-nominal: RSARoyal Scottish Academician |
Post-nominal: RSMARoyal Society of Marine Artists |
Post-nominal: RSWRoyal Scottish Society of Painters in Watercolours |
Post-nominal: RWAThe Royal West of England Academy |
Post-nominal: SACKonstnärscentrum - The Swedish Artists’ Centre |
Post-nominal: SBASociety of Botanical Artists |
Post-nominal: SEASociety of Equestrian Artists |
Post-nominal: SFPSociety of Floral Painters |
Post-nominal: SPSSociety of Portrait Sculptors |
Post-nominal: SSAThe Society of Scottish Artists |
Post-nominal: SSCSculptors Society of Canada |
Post-nominal: SSSSurrey Sculpture Society. |
Post-nominal: Swedish Sculptor UnionSkulptörförbundet - Swedish Sculptors` Association. |
Post-nominal: SWLASociety of Wildlife Artists |
Post-nominal: USWAUlster Society of Women Artists |
Post-nominal: VASVisual Arts Scotland |
Post-nominal: VPRBSVice President Royal British Society of Sculptors |
Post-nominal: VPRPVice President Royal Society of Portrait Painters |
Post-nominal: VPRSMAVice President Royal Society of Marine Artists |
Post-nominal: VPSWAVice President, Society of Women Artists |
VerdigrisA common name for the colour green. It can be in relation to a patina colour (from brass, copper bronze when exposed ti air for a time) or the colour of the sculptures constituent resin. |
