Art History Briefing: Bronze Statues’ Role in Art & Architecture

When used in art and architecture, bronze conveys a sense of wealth and nobility. Bronze statue has historically represented gods and leaders from all cultures, which adds to the regal impression one gets when studying them. The colour and complexity of the material appeal to artists, who have historically used it again after it corroded, melting it down to its original form and creating something new.

Historical Development of Bronze

Although bronze artistic works have been created for centuries, this beautiful and unique alloy was originally cast for tools and weapons, where the attributes of lightweight and sharpness were beneficial. It could not only be cast in varying degrees of hardness, but its lifespan could be extended by melting it for recycling after its original purpose was completed. As casting techniques improved, this ushered in the Bronze Age.

The first use of bronze for artistic purposes can be traced back to Asia, where lost-wax casting was perfected. Because of its light weight, artists were able to create less formal, more natural-looking pieces that could more accurately represent living creatures. Dancing Girl, a prehistoric bronze sculpture discovered in modern-day Pakistan, is thought to be the oldest bronze statue (or statuette due to its small size of 10.5cm). Not surprisingly, the Greeks were the first to master life-size bronze statues, though few remain, owing to the degrading nature of bronze and its proclivity to corrode. The Romans were slightly more successful in creating life-size statues of gods, politicians, and military leaders, some of which survive today.

The Renaissance was inspired by the classical antiquity of Greek and Roman cultures, as was the desire to create artistic pieces. Technological advancements enabled the development of more sophisticated foundries where bronze could be cast into a variety of works.

Key Features of Bronze

Metalsmiths used alloys like arsenic and tin to experiment with different alloys to find the right blend. Although there were different formulations for different uses, most artists and craftspeople simply used whatever they could get their hands on. Because arsenic was so easily accessible, there were probably many cases of arsenic poisoning, which increased the popularity of tin.

Furthermore, percentages were adjusted through trial and error as blends were tried over the centuries to find a good consistency, resulting in "classic bronze" (10% tin) and "mild bronze" (6% tin). Several casting processes produce unique works, including:

Sand Casting

Because it allows for special shapes, the oldest method of casting bronze is still used today. A pattern for the sculpture's shape is created and placed in a box (called a flask) filled with sand (to which a binding agent has been added to harden it). The molten bronze is poured into the shape after the mould has cured and the pattern has been removed. The sand mould is removed after it has cooled, and any finishing touches can be applied.

Lost-Wax Casting (Now Called Investment Casting)

In this method, a full-size model of the sculpture is created, followed by the creation of a mould and the casting of a wax model from the mould. Modern applications for this type of statue design involves adding sprues, passages where the liquid metal is poured into the mould for more even introduction. Another mould is formed over the wax, preventing the liquid metal from being forcefully ejected from the mould with the melted wax, steam, and vapour. The mould layers are removed after cooling, and any defects are filed off and polished.

Centrifugal Casting

This method is used specifically for cylindrical shapes and involves spinning the cylindrical shaped mould around its axis while liquid metal is poured. The advantage of this casting method is that impurities are removed more completely, but the shape and size are limited.

Continuous Casting

Using gravity to move the metal, molten bronze is cast through a mould in this method. This method is more efficient in terms of metal use because less material is lost, resulting in superior work. However, it necessitates significantly more metal and is thus more expensive, particularly in larger applications.

Finishing Bronze Works

Bronze finishing can be done in a variety of ways. A sand blaster is used today to create a smooth and shiny surface. The term "patina" refers to the colour of the bronze, which can be achieved by heating the surface and adding corrosive materials after polishing. When certain chemicals are applied to bronze and heated, they produce different colours. The patina itself adds a creative layer to this work of art. Due to the porous nature of bronze, it must be sealed with wax or lacquer.

Modern Application

In the United States, the use of bronze took on special significance. Early Americans were unable to master the material due to a lack of technology. As the United States rose to power in the mid-nineteenth century, bronze began to represent the country's increased military and economic strength, and there was a push to establish foundries to conquer this art form. Due to its ability to impart realistic details in the alloy, lost-wax casting was reintroduced in the United States.

As foundries grew in popularity (due in part to their production of munitions and other utilitarian items), so did the availability of bronze for artistic purposes. Bronze items became increasingly popular, and examples (as well as multiple casts of a single subject) could soon be found in exhibitions and galleries throughout the Western world.

Bronze Still Relevant Today

Although many classic sculpture collectors believe that the greatest bronze sculptures were created hundreds of years ago, bronze sculpture continues to be a creative medium for artists, one that can reflect a personal narrative and artistic style of today's artists. With the availability of foundries and the low cost of bronze, sculptors can easily use the material to create a wide range of works in all shapes and sizes. Bronze is still as fascinating and relevant today as it was thousands of years ago, from small pieces to installation works (such as Louise Bourgeois' Maman Statue, 1999).