Bronzed plaster sculpture
This bronzed plaster sculpture was made in 1914 by Øystein Vesaas (1883-1969). Vesaas was a painter, woodcarver, sculptor, folklorist and author from Vinje, Telemark. He is most known for his trilogy Rosemaaling i Telemark – an elaborate description of the rose-painting tradition in his home county. He received the Fridtjof Nansen Prize for Outstanding Research for this work.
Vesaas studied at SHKS – the Norwegian National Academy of Craft and Art Industry from 1911 to 1914. The plaster sculpture is most likely one of his student works from this period. It is now under the care of Vinje municipality and was prioritized for restoration in 2023, after severe structural damages on its left arm were discovered.
The damages had caused structural instability and slight displacements throughout the fractured areas of the arm. The treatment consisted of stabilizing the arm by gluing and consolidating fractures and reconstructing areas of loss. Visually disturbing material losses on the plinth were also reconstructed. The reconstructed areas were retouched for better visual reintegration.
To imitate the bronzed patination, a mixed layer of Rembrandt extra fine acrylic colour in light and deep gold was painted on first. The retouch was then finished off with a top layer of Golden acrylics.
Before and after treatment:
