Bronze Sculpture

Generally speaking, wherever metallugical technologies have been developed, metal has been used in sculpture. The metal used most commonly in sculpture is bronze - the alloy of tin and copper. Bronze has a high degree of tensile strength, which gives the sculptor greater freedom of design, especially for jeté postures. In addition, the chemical properties of molten bronze cause it to expand on cooling, thus occupying every cubic centimetre of the mold. Unfortunately, the valuable nature of bronze caused many such 3-D artworks created in ancient times, to be plundered and melted down for their metallic content. Nearly all great sculptors have used bronze casting, including Andrea del Verrochio (1435-88), Donatello (1386-1466), Michelangelo (1475-1564), Giambologna (1529-1608), Auguste Rodin (1840-1917) and Constantin Brancusi (1876-1957). The most popular alternatives to bronze include stone and wood sculpture.

The Rape of the Sabines (1583)
by Giambologna the famous
Mannerist sculptor.

Methods and Materials of Bronze Sculpture

Numerous casting processes may be used when making bronzes. Chief among them are the lost-wax casting method (including investment casting), sandcasting and centrifugal casting.

Lost Wax Method

When emplying the lost-wax or investment casting method, the sculptor first creates a full-size model of the work using a non-drying clay such as Plasticine. Secondly, he makes a mold from the shape of the model, using plaster or a variety of latex rubber material, or gels. Sometimes the mold is used to make a plaster copy which can be stored for future use or worked on further. Thirdly, from the mold, the artist makes a wax model which is then encased in plaster and baked. During heating, the plaster hardens and the wax is allowed to run off. The remaining plaster mold is packed in sand and filled with molten bronze. Lastly, the plaster is chiseled away to reveal the bronze sculpture.

The Burghers of Calais (1884-9)
By Auguste Rodin, the greatest
sculptor of the modern era.

Large Sculptures

When creating a large sculpture, the artist typically creates one or more small study models to perfect the desired shape and proportions. He may then progress to a larger intermediate model before attempting to fashion the full-size sculpture. Measuring devices are often used to extend the dimensions of the intermediate model and ensure correct proportions. Previously, large 3-D bronze works were always cast in one piece. Now however, thanks to new welding processes, large sculptures can be cast in several parts and then welded together.

Moon Head (1964) by Henry Moore
Britain's foremost sculptor.

Painting and Decoration

Classical Greek sculpture was rarely left uncoloured. Artists typically applied pigment and precious stones to ornament and enhance the realism of their sculpture. An extreme modern form of decorated metal sculpture might be For the Love of God by Damien Hirst (b.1965), a model of a human skull, cast in platinum and decorated with 8,601 pave-set diamonds weighing 1,106.18 carats. It sold in 2008 for a reputed $100 million.

Famous Bronze Sculpture

Celebrated bronze sculptures include:

- David (1453) by Donatello;
- Rape of the Sabines (c.1583) by Giambologna;
- The Burghers of Calais (1884-9), the Gates of Hell (1917) by Auguste Rodin;

- Development of a Bottle in Space (1912) by Umberto Boccioni;
- Bird in Space (1923) by Constantin Brancusi;
- City Square Three Figures and a Head (1950) by Alberto Giacometti;
- Moon Head (1964) by Henry Moore.

Modern Sculptors in Bronze

Famous modern sculptors who use bronze casting include: Henry Moore, Stanislaw Szukalski, Lorado Taft, John W Mills, Enzo Plazzotta, Bill Toma, Zoja Trofimiuk, George Tsutakawa, Felix de Weldon, and Harry Weber.

• For details of bronze sculptors in Ireland, see: Guide to Irish Art

• How to Update This Mini Review of Bronze Sculpture