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Project Name
Making a Spanish Polychrome Sculpture Video  
Project Description
In concert with a long-term, didactic exhibition on the Getty Museum's sculpture by Luisa Roldán of Saint Ginés de la Jara, we created a video comprised of animation and live action to portray the carving and painting techniques used in Spain hundreds of years ago to make such sculptures. Seventeenth-century Spanish polychrome sculpture was intended to appear as lifelike as possible. Compared to bronze or marble statues, sculpted and painted wooden figures--often with glass eyes and wigs--achieve a remarkable realistic effect. The film explores artists' specializations in particular Spanish polychromy techniques, such as estofado: painting and incising to create rich silk fabrics with raised patterns in gold and silver used for the garments, and encarnaciones: blending and applying of oil paint for lips, hair, and modulations of the skin. We intentionally approached the subject in a manner that would be a relevant resource to understand the techniques used to create any Spanish polychrome sculpture. Narrated by art historian and conservator of Spanish art Zahira Véliz, and featuring sculptor Marcelo Moreira Santos and historic-technique painter Sylvana Barrett, this video has already proven to have enduring use. It has been featured by museums in London, Spain, Indianapolis, and Washington, D.C., as well as by the Getty Museum.
Keyword(s)
spanish polychrome sculpture, making art, art techniques, conservation,
Project Organization
J. Paul Getty Museum  
Project Type
Gallery Kiosk or Video Educational Media
 
Status
Complete
Budget Range
Not Specified
Projected Completion Date
(yyyy-mm)
2009-02  
Vendor(s) Considered
Dynamic Diagrams (animation)
Notes
 
Related Media
Schedule Notes
Contact(s)
Maria Gilbert , Sr. Editor Content Development , mgilbert@getty.edu
Paco Link , Sr. Media Producer , plink@getty.edu
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