How to Create a Unique Decorative Candle of Gaddi Torso
If you're into classic art, you've probably heard of Gaddi Torso. This ancient marble sculpture, displayed at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, is one of the most famous torso statues in the world. It’s believed to be from ancient Rome, inspired by even older Greek sculptures. What makes this piece stand out is its dynamic body posture and twisting form, showcasing the sculptor’s deep understanding of anatomy and movement.
Reimagining a Classic – What’s This Called?
In the art world, taking a classic piece and giving it a fresh, modern twist is called reinterpretation or reimagining. It’s a way to pay tribute to the original work while adding a unique artistic vision. In this project, we turned Gaddi Torso into a sculptural candle with a creative touch: parts of the skeletal structure are exposed and highlighted in gold, creating a bold artistic contrast.
The Design & Production Process
First, we designed the candle model using ZBrush, adding the skeletal elements to enhance the concept. We then 3D printed a prototype using the Creality Halot Sky resin printer, creating a 14 cm version of the design. In resin printing, models are usually printed hollow to reduce material use and minimize warping during the process.
After printing, we cleaned the piece with isopropyl alcohol and cured it under UV light to fully harden the resin. For the silicone mold, we used Smooth-On Mold Star 15, making it a one-piece mold to ensure minimal seam lines on the final candle.
Hand-Painted Gold Accents for a Decorative Touch
Once the custom candle was poured and set, we hand-painted the exposed bones using metallic acrylic paint, giving them a striking golden finish. This contrast between the matte candle wax and the shiny gold details makes it a unique decorative candle, perfect for art lovers and collectors. Since the candle is hand-painted, it’s primarily intended as a sculptural candle rather than for burning, as the paint could create unwanted smoke or scent when lit.
The Final Result
This design is a fresh take on Gaddi Torso, blending classical beauty with modern artistic interpretation. The exposed golden skeletal parts symbolize the contrast between the external body and the hidden inner structure—something we often overlook.
If you're into classic-inspired sculptures with a modern twist, check out our collection of sculptural candles and custom decorative candles in our shop!