Cöllen, Dieter (1953 - lebt und arbeitete in ... Lot n° 6243

Temple of Vespasian and Titus. Cork model (phelloplastic) with plaster parts. 26 x 26 x 52 cm. Monogrammed and dated on the underside of the support plate. Top inscribed "ESTITUER". 2018. In the 18th century cork models were a document for most people, a testimony to a culture unknown to them. They are among the most interesting, but perhaps also the strangest objects produced by the Grand Tour. After the Seven Years' War, from 1763 onwards, the number of travellers to Rome increased again and the desire to reproduce the monuments visited gradually developed. The construction of small architectural models in cork goes back to crib makers from Naples, where the material was good and easy to obtain. The surface texture of cork has the advantage of coming very close to the reality of a stone and evoking in an amazing way the impression of the original material. The enthusiasm for these models was great from the beginning, they triggered an aesthetic pleasure and provided material for scholarly conversation. So it is hardly surprising that a pseudo-Greek neologism was found for the models in Germany: "Phelloplasty" was catchy and understandable. Apart from the architectural precision, which among other things led to leading cork model artists such as Antonio Chichi and Agostino Rosa signing with "architetto", scale also played an important role; this was usually noted on the model. The German architect Dieter Cöllen developed his phelloplastic works in this tradition and is probably the last artist to devote himself to this skill. The physical presence of the models is not only an object of study, but also takes the viewer on a sensual journey to past, perhaps even lost cultures.