Blog
The blog is a place you can visit to learn and be inspired by over 100 years of history and techniques relating to the Caproni Collection. If there are any topics you are interested in, feel free to let us know.
Happy Birthday, Houdon!
Posted on March 20 2019
278 years ago today, the famous French sculptor Jean-Antoine Houdon was born! Houdon was active during the Enlightenment and is known for his many sculptures of significant figures of the time. These portraits are often considered the best likenesses of those people, and it’s not hard to imagine why – the faces are incredibly life-like...
Art in Heaven
Posted on March 04 2019
From their start, P.P. Caproni and Brother organized their collection - both in the showroom and in the catalogs - into different categories of art. One of these was the Italian Renaissance. As you may well be aware, this era of cultural growth and religious influence brought about the creation of many well-known artworks of Christian figures and themes, many by the great masters...
Love from Venus
Posted on February 14 2019
Your love for plaster casts and art keeps us going, and we thank you for that. We thought we'd share the above photo on the day of love, even though we took it last summer. One of us brought in hydrangeas from the garden to give to everyone here (so sweet!), and a few of us improvised a spontaneous photo shoot of the blue flowers and the Venus de Melo pieces in our collection!
"Lincoln in Sculpture" - 1909 Caproni Circular
Posted on February 12 2019
Take a look! 110 years ago today, on February 12, 1909, P.P. Caproni and Brother published a special circular to celebrate Lincoln’s centenary.
All this talk about cast shadows!
Posted on February 05 2019
Well Punxsutawney Phil is at it again, and this year he didn't see his shadow for once! An early spring is upon us, which is exciting news. We may want to keep our coats by the door just in case, though, because you never know!Whether you're looking forward to sunshine...
To see beyond your immediate world...
Posted on January 24 2019
"Art is the window to man's soul. Without it, he would never be able to see beyond his immediate world; nor could the world see the man within." - Lady Bird Johnson We love this quote because it epitomizes why caring for and reproducing a beautiful collection of art is so fulfilling. For your enjoyment, we wanted...
David's Head Will Roll
Posted on January 11 2019
We thought we'd share some behind-the-scenes videos just for fun!
We have a new name!
Posted on January 10 2019
We’re excited to announce that we’ve changed our name! The Giust Gallery is now the Caproni Collection.
While we’ve always kept the name “Caproni” front and center when possible, we feel it’s time to re-embrace the name that fully encompasses what we are...
Layers of History
Posted on December 11 2018
We were looking at a few of our pieces in the gallery the other day, and it was like opening a long-forgotten history book. There are so many layers, such as where the original piece came from and the history, culture, and stories surrounding its creation, to how the people of that time, and times beyond, thought about and appreciated the artwork.
We Have a Winner!: Hamilton Bust Contest
Posted on December 04 2018
Congrats to the winner for our Hamilton bust reduction!* Every entry we received for our contest was really creative - you blew us away! What a "young, scrappy and hungry" crowd! We loved seeing your enthusiasm for the Hamilton musical and the Caproni Collection.
Tiny Universes in Plaster
Posted on November 26 2018
If you've ever visited the Collection at our showroom in Massachusetts, you know that our entryway is home to many of our wall plaques. Visitors pause upon entering, captivated by the tiny universes illustrated in plaster. Our arrangement has evolved over time and we recently decided to give it a refresh. Our curator, Kayla, led the...
Reflections on Hamilton {Plus win a bust!}
Posted on November 02 2018
Here in Boston, social media is exploding with selfies of people and their playbills at the Boston Opera House for one of the biggest shows, making their friends jealous. Even our new Hamilton bust has jumped on the selfie-train...
Masks to Die For
Posted on October 18 2018
One thing we love about sharing our collection with you is how the seasons inspire us to look at our pieces in a unique way. As you know, Halloween is upon us with candy and parties, costumes and masks. Speaking of masks...
A Snowdrop by any other name: Rediscovering a Statue
Posted on October 04 2018
Our recent research has revealed the mistaken identification of the piece we were calling Crocus. We learned that the sculpture of a nude female is actually called Snöklockan, or The Snowdrop, and was created by Per Hasselberg. Knowing its real title and maker has allowed us to find information and details about both the piece and sculptor...
The Stories and the People, Part 2: Giust
Posted on September 17 2018
Though Lino was very much self-taught, he was a great caster. He took a huge amount of pride when he peeled the rubber mold off and pulled the cast out. It was always such a perfect cast. There was hardly any work to do; no air bubbles, everything lined up perfectly, just a quick trim and then into the dry room...
Underneath the Skin: The Anatomical Men
Posted on August 23 2018
Have you ever heard of an “écorché”? We have several of these in our collection. The French word “écorché” means “flayed,” and refers to an artwork in which the human body is depicted without skin in order to illustrate the muscles. Artists, like Jean-Antoine Houdon and Michelangelo...
So you want to learn to draw?
Posted on August 09 2018
So you’ve bought a few casts, sharpened your pencils, but aren’t sure where to go from here. Or maybe you studied cast drawing years ago but are looking to fine-tune your craft or find some guidance to improve. We thought we’d share two great online resources for learning to draw. Both have used our casts!...
Meet the Painter!
Posted on July 26 2018
We thought you might like to meet more of us who work here at the Gallery, so the newsletter team interviewed our painter, Ashley Harrison! Read on to hear about what she does, her artistic background, and her thoughts on the Giust Gallery/Caproni Collection.
The Art of the Gallery Catalog
Posted on July 06 2018
The antique P.P. Caproni & Brother catalogs are works of art in themselves for many reasons. We love browsing the catalogs we have in our archives, and seeing the drawings and photographs of the sculptures and of the gallery. I also personally enjoy reading what the company wrote regarding its collection, its patinas, and other information it included. To further assess our history that stretches over one hundred years, I read through these antique catalogs to understand the company’s mission and values, and examined the similarities and differences from catalog to catalog. And I was not disappointed by my first in-depth look at these publications...
From the "buy" button to your doorstep
Posted on June 28 2018
We thought we’d share a synopsis of the action behind the scenes. From the beginning, the mission of the Giust Gallery has always been to preserve the unique history and objects of the Caproni Collection. You keep the Giust Gallery running and ensure that this antique collection of plaster casts remains cared for and utilized by artists, decorators, and collectors as it was intended...
Meet the Caster!
Posted on June 14 2018
We thought you might like to meet more of us who work here at the Gallery, so the newsletter team interviewed one of the plaster casters, Nick Batzell! Read on to hear about what he does and his thoughts on the Giust Gallery/Caproni Collection.
Father's Day Gifts for Dad's Desk
Posted on May 31 2018
Does Dad like to have a few special items on his desk or in his office? Is he an art lover or maybe an animal lover? Then check out our carefully-curated ideas for Dad!...
Hamilton Reduction: Half the Man He Used to Be
Posted on May 17 2018
The Giust Gallery jumped into the future in 2018 when we 3D scanned our antique P.P. Caproni & Brother plaster cast of Ceracchi’s Alexander Hamilton bust in order to make a reduction...
Elegance that Inspires
Posted on May 01 2018
Since some of our favorite pieces showcase such feminine elegance and beauty, we thought they paired perfectly with the handiwork of Leiby's Flower Shop in Weston, MA. With Mother's Day coming soon, we are sharing these photos we took of our pieces at Leiby's. Maybe the art and flowers will inspire an idea for that special woman in your life...
Here's to Life!
Posted on April 18 2018
The onset of Spring and the new life it brings may conjure up images of newborns and wedding celebrations. So, we wanted to say, here’s to life! Below are some of our suggestions for gifts for those wonderful occasions!...
Have a ball in drawing class!
Posted on April 09 2018
Seasonal Imagery
Posted on March 20 2018
The first day of Spring is today! We’re all thinking about the coming buds on the trees and time spent outdoors with the barbecue. Whether you are eager to jump into the heat or hoping to get a few more days enjoying the slopes, take a look at this series of Neoclassical reliefs to appreciate all four seasons...
Bacchus, Jupiter, and a Bacchante come alive!
Posted on March 05 2018
The characters in the Caproni Collection often come alive upon investigation. In researching Bacchus (Roman) / Dionysus (Greek), we realized we have many of his family and friends in our collection...
The Treaty and The Declaration: Rediscovering Two Plaques
Posted on February 22 2018
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The Lioness and Three-Headed Horse that Hung on my Wall
Posted on February 09 2018
Two companion scenes, etched in plaster, hung over the couch in my childhood home. Despite scrutinizing them daily, they took me years to interpret. One displayed hunters in a chariot, arms holding reins and bows, the horse jumping over a large lion who, I now know, is taking his last breath. Three arrows have landed in his mane and sides and his tail tucks under his legs. The other depicted a single lioness, back legs lame, also a victim of arrows...
Flutes, Heart Flutters, and Poetry
Posted on February 01 2018
It’s the time of year that if you squint,And tilt your head, you may catch a glimpse… Of Cupids Dancing, five in a row,Flutes and garlands held in tow. The Ages of Love, from young to old,Reach for an infant to coddle and hold. They look into their little Cherub’s eyes,To find the youth in their souls, and the world opens...
Some handy recommendations for you
Posted on January 23 2018
We did an experiment recently. When we started typing the phrase "why are hands" into a web search the first thing that came up was "why are hands so hard to draw"? How to draw or sculpt hands is a common question in the art world...
Same classic pieces, brand new year
Posted on January 05 2018
Happy New Year! Whatever time zone you're in, it's 2018 by now. The years can go by but the beauty of timeless art always remains. We hope 2018 brings you lots of joy and beauty.We thought we'd share a few highlights from 2017 in case you missed them! ...
Thank you for a great 2017!
Posted on December 21 2017
Wow, just wow. It has been an incredible year thanks to all of you. We want to say thank you and Happy Holidays to each and every one of our readers, visitors, and customers...
See what we're gathering at the gallery
Posted on November 20 2017
It’s that time of year when you’re picking out thoughtful gifts for everyone special in your life. Our Holiday Packages – available until December 4th – offer a unique combination of items to gift to friends and family, or maybe to yourself! For The History Buffs on your list, give them these busts and plaques of historic figures.Every...
"The David in the Hall"
Posted on November 09 2017
Have you been to the Cast Courts in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London? They’re some of our favorite spaces to visit. Since the popularity of displaying casts in museums dwindled after the early 20th century, rooms such as these have became rare. Not only do we feel at home amongst the plaster faces, but...
In touch with art
Posted on October 26 2017
Ever bring a child to a museum? Their first instinct is to want to touch the art; it’s oh-so-tempting even for adults. I have a secret: I touch art all the time!—reproductions of course. We at the Giust Gallery have probed Michelangelo’schisel marks, run our fingers across Egyptian hieroglyphs, and felt the drapery of a Greek ruin. Recently, a boy came to...
It may not be 1492…
Posted on October 12 2017
...but Columbus is still making waves! Recently, in parts of North and South America it was Columbus Day, a holiday that celebrates the Italian explorer Christopher Columbus. Columbus has long been regarded as the founder of the North and South American continents, and became a national hero early on in the...
It’s what’s above the couch that matters
Posted on September 21 2017
Do you remember the couch in your childhood home? I do. It was a rusty brown, had two cushions and tall arms. I’m sure my parents, the Giust Gallery owners, took time deciding which sofa to buy, but something else Robert and Kathy placed in the room stole my wonder,...
Our Top 7 Item Recommendations for Cast Drawing
Posted on September 07 2017
A new school year has just begun, and drawing students have loaded up on fresh paper and new charcoal. If you’re looking to join them, there are many art schools and ateliers around the world, including ones that offer online courses. Many of them utilize our casts, and we are happy to provide the instructors with just what they’re looking for as they follow a long tradition of cast drawing. You can check out just a few of our clients here...
Would you eat a delicious meal in just 15 seconds?
Posted on August 24 2017
It’s going to be a great night. You’ve made reservations and put on your best outfit. The hostess greets you. You pair your choice of carefully prepared protein with a glass of something sparkly. Dinner has arrived.You only have fifteen seconds to eat it.The server comes and takes away your...
"Cast Anew" - Design New England article on the Giust Gallery
Posted on August 18 2017
If you want a little refresher about the Giust Gallery, we were featured in Design New England magazine back in 2011 in the May/June issue. Six years later, the Shures and their team are as committed as ever to preserving the Caproni plaster cast collection and the techniques used to produce high-quality...
Those far off days
Posted on August 10 2017
When the prolific American portrait painter George P. A. Healy talked about taking a journey to France in 1834 he said, as quoted in The Greater Journey: Americans in Paris by David McCullough:“In those far-off days there were no art schools in America, no drawing classes, no collections of fine plaster casts and very few picture exhibitions.” It was...
We’re not just a store…
Posted on July 26 2017
We’re also a collection. Caring for a collection of objects, whether public or private, is an important responsibility. In regards to this part of our work, the Giust Gallery was recently featured in BostonVoyager, a website about all things local! They interviewed me, Kayla, about how I came to be the Curator of...
The Vatican, Accademia and the Louvre all in one place
Posted on July 13 2017
When Pietro Caproni started the Caproni Collection in the 1890’s, his vision was to make great works of art available to the public, and we are committed to keeping that tradition alive. Our showroom is filled with hand-crafted reproductions of pieces from across the pond, including works by Donatello, Michelangelo,...
Caproni Casts for Sculpture Study, Part Three
Posted on October 19 2016
Albert Toft Recommended Studying Casts along with Nature “This confidence is an all-important factor in the student’s progress, as he should not start by being timid if he means to be a modeler or sculptor, but must make up his mind to battle.” – Albert Toft Like Putnam and Lanteri,...
Caproni Casts for Sculpture Study, Part Two
Posted on May 26 2016
A Look at The Sculptor’s Way: A Guide to Modelling and Sculpture by Brenda Putnam “The sculptor, as a poet, must have a wide vocabulary to choose from if he hopes to find the significant word that will attract and hold the attention of his hearers.” –Brenda Putnam ...
Caproni Casts for Sculpture Study, Part One
Posted on May 12 2016
A Look at Modelling and Sculpting the Human Figure by Eduoard Lanteri Take care not to use the tool too much; it will prevent you from acquiring suppleness of the hand and from developing a fine touch … only use the wooden tool in places where the finger cannot get...
The Stories and the People, Part 1: Caproni
Posted on August 08 2015
Plaster Casters Plaster reproductions of classical sculpture were once an integral educational tool in teaching people classical history in the United States. Casts were widely used in museums, public buildings, and schools. Casters, through the ages, have played an important role in the creation and reproductions of sculptures. Aside from...
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