Posted 6 years ago
Golgatha
(217 items)
G.R. made lots of small copies in plaster mixed with resin of classical statues. Like the one showed here of Venus from Milo's head. He lived and worked in Italy in the 20th century. Does anyone know his years of birth and death ?
There were/are apparently four artists, two Italian sculptors, by that name and there seems to be a mix and match among them of who did what, when.
"Tito Bianchi, about whom there is little information, but who seems to have owned a factory which produced religious and classical statues in the twenties and thirties (and perhaps earlier) in Cecina, Italy (western coast, south of Livorno). From the translations of the site it's difficult to determine if the factory exists today. Gino Ruggeri, one of the most well known sculptors in Italy, worked many years for Tito Bianchi in Bianchi's Factory in Tuscany. He developed a means of mixing alabaster with resin to make it more durable and waterproof. He was born in Volterra (Pisa) the country of alabaster. He worked many years for Tito Bianchi who sold out his factory in 1987 to Amilcare Santini. The Santini family now control the rights to Ruggeri's works, i.e. 1987 forward. "
A Gino Ruggeri was apparently also associated with the Studio Dante di Voltaradici in 2012, so maybe one of the others GRs.
I found two mentions in books, 1976 and 1978, that said he was living at that time. Sounds like he was active circa 1930s to 1980s....
You probably need to find a book on 20th century Italian sculptors if you want to find more biographical information about him. I found numerous queries of folks seeking information about him.
There was no menition of that name in old marble encylop. so I assume he was working during the older times. The resin pieces were mainly done in the 70's to the mid eighties and they made some very nice copies during the mid eighties. This appears more like the ones from the 70's which were mass produced. Some of the better ones used real onyx or alabaster bases.
Gino Ruggeri.
This G.R. example mounted to very heavy base, assume steel, is not resin or alabaster.
It is ceramic laid over a hollow metal figurine.
Does thus make it an early or unusual example?
Had it a while and goingbti refit it once I find a suitable opaque globe.
Your knowledge appreciated. Thank you.