School of Sculpture Class (Edinburgh College of Art), 1908-1951
Start Date: 1908 (Circa)
End Date: 1951
Type: Art school class
Description: Syllabus of Qualifying Sculpture Course:
1. Comparative Study of Natural Form and Historic Ornament modelled in relief.
2. Modelled studies of figure and the Antique.
3. Studies of Anatomy in the round.
4. Simple methods of Casting and Carving.
5. Elementary study of ornament and of the figure in relation to Architecture.
Corresponding courses taken with Sculpture; Drawing from nature & casts, Geometrical Drawing, Elementary Architecture, lectures on Historic Ornament.
Workshops also provided with all necessary tools and equipment for the making of armatures, smithing, joinery and for the various kinds of Sculptor's mechanical work.
Sculpture course also offered to Architecture students for one term of their studies.
Animal Studies were also provided by bringing horses into the college for that purpose.
Policy: To instruct and teach (General Syllabus):
1. Elementary Modelling.
2. Modelling from life and from the Antique.
3. Anatomy.
4. Design and Composition in relation to Architecture.
5. Casting.
6. Pointing and Carving
The College provided clay and plaster for the casting in general demonstration, and in cases where students work is cast for the college.
Students were encouraged to do their own casting and run their own mouldings.
Sources
Prospectus of the Edinburgh College of Art, Session 1908 - 1909
1908 (Circa)
pp. 23-33
Prospectus of the Edinburgh College of Art, Session 1908 - 1909
1908 (Circa)
Prospectus of the Edinburgh College of Art, Session 1914 - 1915
1914 (Circa)
Bronze Casting classes offered. Also Animal study Classes for modelling taken by Percy Portsmouth.
The Edinburgh College of Art Report by the Board of Management for the session 1908 -1909
1909
Large Classes in elementary work. Modelling approached from classical models of ornamental form and the other from the study of form from life. Special emphasis placed on the relation of Sculpture to Architecture (which was restricted due to lack of space). Work carried out in reduced size.
The Edinburgh College of Art Report by the Board of Management for the session 1909 -1910
1910
p. 24
The Edinburgh College of Art Report by the Board of Management for the session 1920 -1921
1921
p. 12.
Modelling classes of ther general course reported to be very large.
No Student submitted work for diploma.
Travelling Scholarship for that year went to Drawing and Painting Dept.
11 Sculptors and Modellers enrolled for that year.
The Edinburgh College of Art Report by the Board of Management for the session 1925-1926
1926
p. 12
The Edinburgh College of Art Report by the Board of Management for the session 1925-1926
1926
p. 12.
Reduction in numbers due to inappropriateness of course for students wishing to enter teaching profession.
Proposal put forward for the associated trades of Sculpture to attend day classes.
The Edinburgh College of Art Report by the Board of Management for the session 1929-1930
1930
p. 12. Large number of students in Modelling, quality of work was excellent.
Increase in enrolment in the Stone-carving and Lettering class.
The Monumental Sculptors 'are now fully appreciating the excellent opportunities afforded in the college and are encouraged to pay their apprentices fees.'
Pottery classes well attended.
The Edinburgh College of Art Report by the Board of Management to the Govenors for the session 1945-1946
1946
Increase in the number of full time senior sculpture students. Post-graduate development highly commended. Due to this a proposal for the development of workshop and studio accommodation.
The Edinburgh College of Art Report by the Board of Management to the Govenors for the session 1950-1951
1951
Students encouraged to give informal talks on particular aspects of Sculpture in which they are interested. This provided a culture of analytical and critical debate which was noted to be considered of equal importance to the techniques of Sculpture.
A terra-cotta class is introduced in collaboration with the Pottery Section. Also classes in Letter-cutting have been introduced into the evening Sculpture class.
Citing this record
'School of Sculpture Class (Edinburgh College of Art), 1908-1951', Mapping the Practice and Profession of Sculpture in Britain and Ireland 1851-1951, University of Glasgow History of Art and HATII, online database 2011 [http://sculpture.gla.ac.uk/view/event.php?id=msib6_1214833722, accessed 08 Jun 2023]
