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Masterpieces of the Gipsformerei. Art manufactury of the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin since 1819.
Munich, Hirmer Verlag - Replica Workshop ? National Museums of Berlin , 2012 144 pages, 100 colour illustrations, 20 x 27 cm, hardcover. FINE ISBN 9783777447513.
In the 19th century plaster replicas of historical art objects represented the fulfilment of the old dream of a museum which contained the world?s masterpieces. The Berlin manufactory provides a journey through different cultures from antiquity to the present. Berlin?s cast workshop was founded in 1819 and is the oldest and largest of its kind. Goethe and the brothers von Humboldt were already among its customers. To this day, this institution continues to sell hand-painted replicas of major sculptures which are defined by their artistry and workmanship. Since its foundation, the supply of casts has been steadily increased to 7,000 works. Thanks to this ongoing and enormous supply, and the techniques of the manufactory, which were handed down from generation to generation, it has been possible to maintain the exceptionally high standard of Berlin?s plaster cast tradition. Its repertoire already exceeds the expansive inventory of the Berlin State Museums. Not only masterpieces of these museums, such as the bust of Nefertiti and the Pricesses Luise and Friederike by Schadow are included, but also the best-known works from other important collections. The Laocoon Group and Rodin?s Thinker are among these famous plaster casts. The 100 examples in this magnificently designed and richly illustrated volume provide a comprehensive insight into the achievements and work of plaster casting. This book also pays tribute to the art of creating plaster replicas as an important cultural technique of the 19th century, a time when these artworks played a very important role not only in museums and private and study collections, but also served to decorate private homes.
