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The reality behind the visual imagination, as actually practised in antiquity, has been taboo since Pliny mentioned life casting. But the ‘career ending taboo’ is beginning to crack. We have been fed the fantasies of art historians for so long they have become part of our culture and even endanger our existence on the planet because the experts constantly prefer fantasy over observation; where what we have been admiring most over the centuries is observed art.
Back to Reality! Art History has a horror of ‘mechanical aids’ which fortunately is not shared by the sciences. Do we question Galileo because he used a telescope? The evidence is mounting to demolish the myths and ideologies of our great art institutions that have controlled the narrative for so long. Phidias probably used life casting to aid his work on the Parthenon. Why should artists not use mirrors if they help?
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| The Horse of Selene on the east pediment of the Parthenon (British Museum) esteemed as an example of Greek artistic genius but Nigel puts forward the evidence that it was created as part of a Roman restoration project probably under Hadrian 570 years later. The rest is all original Greek. He believes the whole of the west pediment is Roman because clear of smoke damage though the west facade was blackened. |
Nigel Konstam is a sculptor who has been pioneering a more realistic approach to art history, which has been stoutly resisted by the establishment. He has been published, nonetheless, in prestigious periodicals (Apollo, Burlington, The Oxford Journal of Archaeology) through the help of distinguished scholars with more open minds.
The courses he offers are all based on practical art, particularly the art of drawing, as the essential basis for making judgments in art. They can be pursued individually, or in small groups. They are tailored to the needs of artists, art critics, art historians and archaeologists. (Minimum length 3 weeks, year round, students can choose from the menu).
Study Options: Carving, Sculpture and drawing. Use of wax (modelling and life casting)
Painting, Learning from the practices of the masters: Maitani and Sienese sculpture, Florentine Sculpture with drawing, Brunelleschi’s use of a mirror, Rembrandt, Velasquez and Vermeer's methods. Canova's method.
How to feed the visual imagination
An idea of who is planning to be there in the coming year, 2023:
Tricia Reichert : Water colour tutor May and June 2023
Louise Waugh 2 - 16 May 2023 www.louisewaugh.com
Liz Hough coming 18 - 30 April 2023 and 22 Aug - 12 September 2023 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Polly Farquharson and Aude Van Ryn - Ceramics (for 2024). Polly hoping to come as resident cousin, artist and helper in 2023.
Jackie McRoberts
(Sculptor and former director of the Oratory Art Centre in London) July 2023 
My bond with the Centro started after reading an article about Nigel Konstam and the wonderful home and art school that he had created in a small village sitting in the beautiful Tuscan Hills and promised myself....one day! That day came four years later, and so my sister (Sylvie Boden - Artist) and I set off.....22 years on, we return every summer!
Having always leaned towards three dimension work, I wanted to experience carving in stone and did this over the years, after attending courses. I then became more and more involved with the daily life there, be it in the kitchen or around and about the Centro. I also spent two complete seasons working as a helper. When I wasn't in the kitchen, you would find me on the sculpting terrace under the watchful eye of Nigel, with other sculptors and artists. It is such a privilege to be welcome in Nigel's home and to be part of this creative environment he has created.
Experiencing Italian life is inevitable, there is always something going on in the village and many friendships have been made over the years. I will be returning hopefully in spring 2021 (travel permitting) to spend two years developing my sculpture and to continue to be part of this special community. More photos of Jackie's work
Laura Postle Sculpture
Freelance sculptor at Madame Tussauds, tutor at Heatherleys. 11 - 21 Aug 2023
Caro Seaward
Caro Seaward - painter lives in Casole with her family and has her studio at the Art Centre. She is an accomplished painter and talented teacher www.caroseaward.com/
Sylvie Boden
Sylvie Boden (Painter and TV producer/director) Planning to come over with her sister Jackie we hope in Aug/Sept 2023
I'm Sylvie Boden, a painter, and I have a long and wonderful history with Centro Verrocchio D'arte which I regard as my second home, but mostly spiritual home. My relationship with the Centro started over 20 years ago, when my sister ( Jackie McRoberts, a Sculptor,) decided that she would like to take a sculpting course with Nigel for her 40th birthday celebrations. As a long time painter I did not need to be persuaded to join Jackie in Casole and started a course with the extraordinary artist Vince Tutton.
Within days, in the unique village of Casole D'elsa, the seeds were sewn for a long relationship with the Centro; the building, imbued with art, history, creativity, kindness and above all the privilege of sharing the home and wisdom of Nigel Konstam.
Over many years, apart from painting, I also helped in the kitchen, and generally helped wherever I could between and during courses. I loved every minute of being 'chained' to the kitchen in the company of friends and the exceptional chef Loridana.
As my children grew older and independent so too my own independence grew and I was able to spend more time during summer in Casole, laterly 6 to 8 weeks at a time. I have considered it a privilege to be part of the Centro community so far and I'm looking forward to continuing it next year. I plan to visit in March/April, and also for July/August, and maybe with luck, even more! More about Sylvie and her paintings...
Julia Adams
Julia Adams (Painter and Teacher with special interest in Life Drawing) coming first fortnight of Oct 2023. For many years Julia has spent up to two months a year at Verrocchio working on her paintings and life drawings/paintings. For the last several years she has run a very lively and stimulating Life Drawing Course at Verrocchio
Bella Green
Bella Green (Painter, Jewelery Maker, Polymer Clay Artist, Tutor) 14 - 28 Sept 2023 Online Course details can be found here
Margaret Barton and Carol Mellors , Diana Wood, Celia Talbot may come 14 - 28 Sept 2023 with Bella
The Practical Art and Art History Course
By Nigel Konstam
The course can be arranged flexibly on a one to one basis, or for a group and can be timed to coincide with your stay. Price can be negotiated.
Diploma awarded on basis of artworks produced. No written assignments.
We will be investigating the methods of 'the masters', including Giacometti, Uccello, Rembrandt, Holbein and Poussin. Not from the point of view of what has been said about art but from what actually went on in the studios. It will include drawing from the antique as a means of learning to see clearly what is in front of you. For example drawing from a Roman bust such as Hadrian - once standard practice in art schools and an excellent training. I believe that the art we most admire from the past is the result of observation not of imagination. I have learnt from Rembrandt that the visual imagination needs stimulating by a good dose of reality. Imagination is also activated by playing with the materials of art; marks awaken vague dreams and allowing them to be realised step by step using memories of reality. Essentially you will be pursuing your own ideas with my help.
Many of my art historical discoveries I have dealt with in videos and blogs. My treatment of Velasquez masterpiece “Las Meninas” has led to the proud title of "The Sherlock Holmes of Art History". The contrast between my interpretation and the convoluted stories told by art history may give you a good laugh and we hope, the desire to join my research group.
For those who have been disappointed by their recent training in art or art history this may be a turning point.
| 7 Nights | Sculpture group | 10 nights | Tricia's Group | 13 Nights | 14 Nights | Additional person | |
| Rooms 1C, 2C and 6C* + studio space | €500 per week | €645 | €735 | €860 | €930 | €1000 | |
| Room 3C* + Studio space | €520 per week | €670 | €775 | €890 | €965 | €1040 | +€12 per night |
| Duccio Apartment* + studio space | €550 per week | €700 | €815 | €942 | €1020 | €1100 | +€12 per night |
| Martini Apartment* + studio space | €600 per week | €770 | €890 | €1030 | €1113 | €1200 | +€12 per night |
| The Maestro Apartment + studio space | €700 per week | €900 | €1000 | €1200 | €1300 | €1400 | No extra cost |
*With a change to the former arrangements the Martini will now be a self contained apartment with private kitchen and bathroom. The Duccio has a simple kitchenette. The other rooms will have use of the main kitchen on the ground floor and tea and coffee facilities in the library.
No meals or airport transfers are included in the price.
Studio Only: Under the new set up we are not allowed to rent out studio space to those staying off site in a local B&B.
Work in exchange for rent:
We are especially looking for the following skills:
Handyperson - good with general maintenance jobs.
Cleaning - keeping the studios and communal areas clean and tidy and preparing rooms for new arrivals. Room cleaning/shopping on request of other members of the community.
Please contact us with any other suggestions if you have other skills to offer. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.