I've been researching a plaster bust (supposedly depicting Marietta Strozzi)
here at the WAM, as one of the only remaining relics of the museum's early
collection practices.

It has a small metal plaque set into its back, indicating that it was made
by P. P. Caproni and Brother (in Boston), and I think it's from around 1900.
Many art libraries still have the Capronis' old sales catalogues, which are
heavily illustrated with photos and drawings, so you may want to check these
first.

A few websites I came across:

History of the Caproni gallery: http://www.giustgallery.com/history.htm

Small discussion board on the Caproni casts:
http://www.statuaryplace.com/discussion/messages/1112.html

William J. Battle collection of casts:
http://www.utexas.edu/cofa/bma/wm_batle.html

"Where Have All the Statues Gone?" article on Cornell's past collection of
Classical casts:
http://members.aol.com/_ht_a/CoolHandMM/PrometheusCyberbound/PRI1.html


Sarah E. Cloud
Worcester Art Museum Curatorial Intern
[log in to unmask]
508-799-4406 Ex. 3027


> -----Original Message-----
> From: Redcliffe State Historic Site
> [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Thursday, April 12, 2001 5:07 PM
> To:   [log in to unmask]
> Subject:      Re: Plaster (Chalkware) Bust Research Help
>
> Here at Redcliffe Plantation we have a collection of plaster busts we
> believe were purchased in Europe during the nineteenth century.  Apart
> from
> that we don't know anything about the busts and we are having a tough time
> researching them.  Any references or information would be appreciated.
> Fielding Freed
>

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