The stage in model-based marble carving that brings the roughed block toward the essential lines, major forms, dimensions, and proportions of the final sculpture through measured transfer from a model or bozzetto.
Smodellatura follows roughing in model-based marble carving. Le voci del marmo defines it as bringing the roughed block to the essential lines by transferring measurements from a model or bozzetto to the marble, so that the overall dimensions, principal forms, and proportions approach those of the finished sculpture.
Etymology
From Italian modellare, “to model,” with the workshop form smodellatura referring to bringing the roughed stone toward the model.
Sculptor Notes
Smodellatura is a crucial intermediate stage: the work is no longer merely a block with excess removed, but it is not yet final finish. The principal masses must become coherent before the sculptor commits to delicate surface passages.
References
https://levocidelmarmo.sns.it/scheda_oggetti_relazione.php?denom=smodellatura&id=60