The Use of Sized Cloth in Polychrome Sculpture in the German-Speaking Area

This article discusses the use of sized cloth in the construction of polychrome sculpture in the German-speaking area. The author provides a brief overview of the technique, as well as examples of its use in sculptures from the 14th to the 16th centuries.

What is sized cloth?

Sized cloth is a type of fabric that has been stiffened with a mixture of flour paste and glue.

How is sized cloth used in the construction of polychrome sculpture?

Sized cloth is used in the construction of polychrome sculpture to create delicate edges, larger parts of drapery, and loincloths.

What are some examples of sized cloth in German-speaking sculptures?

Some examples of sized cloth in German-speaking sculptures include the Miraculous Madonna of Dimbach (1398), the Pietá from the Dom in Wetzlar (14th century), and the crucifixes of the monastery Rohr in Niederbayern (15th century) and the Stiftskirche Innsbruck-Wilten (16th century).