Paola Nizzoli Desiderato

Wax worker

©Laura Ferrari

The lady of wax

Paola develops an ancient and glorious tradition
She is a curious and tireless experimenter
Her work is an ongoing hymn to life and biodiversity

During a successful career in the fashion industry, Paola Nizzoli Desiderato came across the wax collections of the Museo della Specola and the Natural History Museum of the University of Florence. This is when she discovered a world that she never left since. Paola, always passionate about rare artistic techniques, found in wax sculpting the language that unites her aesthetic sensitivity, creativity and scientific curiosity for nature. “Wax sculpting gives immortality,” she explains. She practises the tradition that has seen the use of wax to create large naturalistic repertoires for botanical and anatomy studies since the 16th century. This leads Paola to a conceptual approach that transcends natural data, where reflection on the cycle of life and death plays a central role. Her works have been exhibited in many museums around the world.

Interview

©Laura Ferrari

©Laura Ferrari

What is special about ceroplastics?: Compared to all other artistic techniques, ceroplastics presents an infinite number of problems: you work in a state of continuous experimentation, looking for a different solution each time. I create a technical sheet for each model made, to keep track of errors, however sometimes it is not enough.
Is there a feature that makes your work particularly recognisable?: My compositions have no rules. They represent me. Everyone tells me that my characteristic is my ability to represent the “perfection of the imperfection of nature.” I certainly have a strong sensitivity regarding the extraordinary variety of nature, biodiversity, and the ethics towards nature.
What are the main technical challenges you face as a wax sculptor?: There are many types of wax, each with different characteristics. To colour melted wax with pigments, I need to find the right medium to dissolve the pigments suitable for that specific wax. I use only virgin beeswax, keeping carnauba and Canada balsam just as correctives.
Was there a memorable moment in your career?: My wax transposition of the Basket by Caravaggio, a masterpiece of painting, is an emotion that endures in me. Other moments also stay with me, such as my pomona of 600 specimens, the models of 43 varieties of potatoes created for the Rezzoaglio Museum, and the large food pyramid composed of 1927 pieces.

Paola Nizzoli Desiderato is a master artisan: she began her career in 2003 and she started teaching in 2018