Sixteenth-Century Life-casting Techniques: experimental reconstructions based on a preserved manuscript

The casting technique of using models taken from nature came into fashion during the Renaissance. Although extant objects are usually ascribed to Italy and Germany, there is also documentary evidence of the use of life casting from England and France. By studying a relatively unknown late-sixteenth-century manual from France, with detailed life-casting instructions, a deeper understanding of this complex casting technique was achieved. The instructions for life casting in the manual were detailed enough to form the basis for modern reconstruction castings described in this paper. The choice of models and mould materials are discussed as well as the intricate moulding procedures.