A traditional marble-workshop specialist who brings a roughed block closer to the model by establishing principal forms, dimensions, and proportions before final finishing.
Smodellatore is a specialist associated with smodellatura, the stage following roughing in which the sculpture is brought substantially closer to the model. The role is documented in interviews from the Pietrasanta workshop tradition.
The smodellatore works between roughing and final finish, clarifying the large and intermediate forms, proportions, and transitions.
Etymology
From Italian modellare, “to model or shape,” in workshop usage.
Sculptor Notes
The smodellatore occupies one of the most consequential stages in model-based carving: enough stone has been removed that errors matter, but enough remains that the major forms can still be corrected.
References
https://levocidelmarmo.sns.it/lista_times.php