Ancient Plaster: Casting Light on a Forgotten Sculptural Material
Ancient Plaster: Casting Light on a Forgotten Sculptural Material
edited by Abbey L. R. Ellis and Emma M. Payne
9781836245940 (2025) hbk
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.
Published in the Proceedings of the British Academy series, Vol. 274
Supplementary material
Video demonstrations
Marble, bronze, and terracotta are all celebrated materials for sculpture in the round. However, plaster, another noteworthy material in antiquity, is understudied and often absent from the archaeological record. Video demonstrations of plaster working and casting processes provide a practical understanding of material and technique.
