The Cast Workshop and
Contemporary Artists

Reproducing ancient works and grand masters has long been an essential element of artistic training. Today, art history continues to be a significant source of inspiration. Ever since it was founded, artists from Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux to Jeff Koons, Auguste Rodin to Yves Klein have come to the workshop in search of inspiration.

Jeff Koons called upon the cast workshop for five of the reproductions used in his series Gazing Ball (2013-14). The artist placed deep blue reflective balls, a decorative object popular among the middle class in 1960s’ America, on white plaster casts of masterpieces from the history of sculpture. In doing so, he invited us to consider the reproduction of artworks, and established a dialogue between artisanal and industrial manufacturing.