Medardo Rosso: Analysing Differences in Wax Castings

The project involves the application of non-contact digital technology to obtaining high-resolution 3D data of a series of bronzes and wax sculptures by Rosso.

One line of work has involved recording a selection of the busts, comprising both wax and bronze casts, from Rosso’s Bambino Ebreo series using close-range photogrammetry, and in specific cases, complementing it with structured-light scanning as an additional technique. Factum Foundation has recorded five Bambino Ebreo busts in different museums and private collections, around Venice and other locations in Italy.

Based on the captured information, 3D models have been prepared and made accessible as online viewers, enabling Dr Hecker and other experts to inspect the data from any computer or device. In addition to the items recorded by Factum Foundation, another 9 models previously recorded have been added to the viewing platform, making a total of 16 items. Thanks to the viewer, it is possible to compare side by side any pair of models (zooming in on specific details, rotating the viewpoint, etc.) facilitating a close inspection of the busts in an intuitive, easy way.

A second line of work has focused on La Portinaia, another relevant work by Rosso of which various versions exist. Factum Foundation has recorded the sculpture at Tortona’s Museo Il Divisionismo and Venice’s Museo Ca’ Pesaro.

By request of the Pinacoteca Il Divisionismo, Factum also produced two physical reproductions of the artwork: a white 3D print and a facsimile made in natural beeswax and plaster. The reproductions will remain in the museum’s collection to facilitate the conservation, study and dissemination of Rosso’s working process.