Contemporary Figurative Sculpture

Created in marble and bronze.

Trained in Italy

Four years in the Enzo Pasquini Sculpture Studio, Querceta, Italy.  
Figure study with Maestra Signorina Nerina Simi , Florence, Italy 1980-1984 

Fred X Brownstein lived and worked in Italy for sixteen years prior to moving to Vermont. During that time, he was an apprentice in the sculpture studio of Enzo Pasquini in Querceta, Italy for four years (1976 -1980) learning the traditional Italian techniques for marble sculpture from two mentors: sculptor Sirio DeRanieri (who was a fourth generation marble carver) and Vincenzo Donati the “smodellatore”. 

Vincenzo taught Fred to use the “machinetta” (pointing device) to transfer measurements 1:1 from a plaster model to make the final version in marble and the use of compasses for a ratio of enlargement when the work was to be a size greater than the model. Sirio generously gave his advice and instruction on the best methods of finishing the artwork including surface texture and details of faces, hands and drapery. 

Process

All Fred’s sculpture is first created in clay, then molded and cast in plaster. The plaster sculpture serves as a model for either a final version in marble or bronze and Fred was fortunate to have the master mold maker or “formatore”,  Sirio Navari teach him how to make molds and casts from his clay models. 

Fred also worked in several of the bronze foundries in Pietrasanta learning the methods involved in casting and finishing bronze sculpture. 

Sculpture is drawing in three dimensions and in order to create figurative artwork one must learn to draw.  Maestra Nerina Simi taught “seeing” through learning to draw still life, portrait and figure in her studio at #1 via Tripoli in Florence. And after meeting Signorina Simi through his wife Stella who was a student there, he was accepted in her class which he attended for four years traveling back and forth to Florence from the marble studio in Querceta each week from 1980-1984.  

Commission a Sculpture

Fred will prepare a proposal and walk you through every step of the process.