gradually the whole of their bodies, until the feet are reached, and the whole group is disclosed.
Knocking off the mould.
This is the state in which groups of this description are generally exhibited at the Academy and other exhibitions, for the simple reason that it would not pay to put them in bronze, except in the execution of a commission.
But the work is not allowed to leave the artist's hand just as it comes from the casting. He has still to go over it and carefully remove the seams, and make up any defects in the casting; or he may add to the work, or even change it in minor details. This done, the group is ready for exhibition, with the exception of one more final operation. That is, it has either to be bronzed, or tinted slightly with oil or yellowish clay water (according to the effect desired to be produced), the dead whiteness of the plaster not being pleasant or natural to the eye.
Taking measurements.
In case the work be carried to completion in marble or bronze, other operations have to be gone through which it would take too long fully to describe in one article. In proceeding to execute a group or single figure in marble, the model of which has been prepared, the first thing requisite is to procure a block of marble as nearly as possible of the required size, and, so far as can be judged from the outside, without fault. The pointer then goes to work, and, as may be said, roughs out the figure. What he really does is to prepare the marble by means of his chisel and a "pointer"—a measuring instrument which, adjusted to the model, and thence transferred to the marble, enables him to get the relative prominence and bearing of each part. When the pointer has reached, as it were, the rough outline of the figure, he is followed by a carver, who carries the work a stage
