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Intaglio Indiretto

Italian term for indirect carving: transferring a previously developed model into stone or wood through pointing, measurement, or another copying method.

Short Definition

Italian term for indirect carving: transferring a previously resolved model into the final stone or wood through measurement or a copying system.

Difficulty

Intermediate

Language Origin

Italian

Pronunciation

IPA: /inˈtaʎʎo indiˈrɛtto/

Categories

Intaglio indiretto is an Italian term for indirect carving. It describes a method in which a sculpture already developed in clay, wax, plaster, or another model material is transferred into stone or wood by measurement, pointing, enlargement, reduction, or a related system.

The essential distinction is that the principal form has been resolved before the final material is carved.

Etymology

Italian intaglio, 'carving' or 'engraving,' + indiretto, 'indirect.'

Sculptor Notes

The term is the Italian counterpart to English indirect carving and French taille indirecte. It is especially useful when discussing model-to-marble transfer systems and workshop practice.