La bronze sculpture making occupies a large place in artistic activity. For three millennia, the practice of lost wax casting has crisscrossed time and still leaves its mark on the art world.
Art is expressed in many ways. It is a free concept that depends on the time and place of its representation. However, the term can designate architecture, literature, sculpture, painting, music, dance or poetry. In particular, modern art also covers cinema, theater, photography as well as comics.
Technical bronze sculpture
La bronze sculpture technique is a complex process that combines several essential steps to create a durable and detailed work of art. Among the most widely used methods, the lost wax technique stands out for its ability to capture the smallest details of the original sculpture. To create a bronze sculpture, a wax replica of the desired work is first modeled. This replica is then covered with a mold made of refractory material, such as clay or plaster, to create a negative imprint of the sculpture. Once the mold is prepared, molten bronze is poured into it. After cooling, the mold is broken to reveal the bronze sculpture. Finishing touches, such as polishing and patina, are then applied to give the work its final appearance.
Making a bronze sculpture also requires careful attention to the thickness of the piece, as this not only influences its strength, but also the quality of the final rendering. Artists must master not only traditional techniques, but also modern innovations, such as the use of elastomers for molds, in order to obtain precise and durable sculptures. Whether you want to know how to make a bronze sculpture or discover the precise steps for creating a work, it is crucial to understand the different bronze sculpture techniques to fully appreciate the complexity and beauty of this art.
The creation of a bronze sculpture by lost wax
The design of a metal sculpture is done in different ways: by modeling, by molding, by casting technique, by cutting technique.
The lost wax technique is, however, the most used. This technique allows the work sought by the artist to be reproduced in detail.
Wax modeling
In order to create a metal sculpture, it is necessary to have a rough model. The lost wax process begins with the creation of a wax replica. It is done by hand. This modeling allows the creator's desire to be fulfilled to the nearest millimeter. The traditional process and the modern process differ on a few points.
The traditional technique: wax and terracotta
Once the wax model is finished, it is covered with a layer of clay added to a sprue. Then another layer is added, composed of dried donkey excrement. The whole thing is tied with wire if the work is of a large dimension. It is left to dry and placed on a fire so that the wax flows out, hence the name of the technique.
Once the wax has been extracted, the mold is cooked again over a high heat for several hours. This cooking hardens the mold and frees the tool from the donkey excrement. Once finished, the bronze is cast. Traditional founders place the molds, previously heated to 1 °C, in the sand. They pour the liquid bronze directly or using a utensil.
Then all that remains is to wait for it to cool and destroy the mold to make way for the statue. The finishing touches can be done at this point (polishing, sanding, etc.).
Modern technique: wax, plaster and elastomer
Currently, the mold consists of a layer of elastomer covered with a plaster shell. Once the wax replica is finished, the modeling must be covered with a refractory material. The iron rod is replaced by funnels and conduits for the passage of the metal. Indeed, it is necessary to ensure that the opening of the jets (funnels) is accessible during molding.
Once the casting is complete, the liquid bronze is poured into it. After cooling, it is demolded. The elastomer is very easy to demold, one of the advantages of its use.
Each work is unique due to the signature of its creator. The sculpture artisans include celebrities such as the Swiss Alberto Giomecitti.
Bronze alloys
Bronze is an alloy of copper and tin. In the past, the term bronze was given to all copper alloys. Bronze is then composed of 50% copper, 6 to 20% tin and other materials such as zinc, lead, manganese and arsenic. Zinc ensures the castability and tin ensures the hardness of the alloy. The advantage of its components is the high resistance to wear.
But be careful, bronze is often confused with spelter. The latter results from the alloy of lead, antimony and tin in small proportions. Spelter is much more fragile.
The two metals, however, have discernible differences.
- Firstly, in terms of weight. Indeed, bronze is heavier. However, a fraud expert can fill the spelter with lead and thus make it heavier.
- Second, they differ in their patina. Scratch the metal, if the background is yellow, it proves that it is bronze, if the background is white, it is spelter.
- Third, they are different in resonance. Bronze emits a high-pitched sound while spelter hardly rings at all. Fourth, the difference is in the finish. Spelter is difficult to work, unlike bronze which is easily engraved.
Patina products
The color of the bronze surface can be changed by applying a patina to obtain other shades (green, beige, reddish or brown). The surface of the bronze is heated with a blowtorch while spreading acids on it to oxidize the metal.
These acids vary from nitric acid, potassium permanganate, copper nitrate, iron oxide, zinc oxide, etc. It is difficult to discover the original colors of an antique bronze, its patina being however magnificent.
Bronze sculpture works
History records extraordinary bronze arts. Moreover, these bronze sculptures achieve incredible sales even though their prices often exceed a million dollars.
Animal sculpture has existed since ancient Greece, but in the 18th century, animal bronzes were reproduced by many artists, such as Antoine-Louis Barye. While artists of the 19th and 20th centuries created contemporary sculptures, Auguste Rodin and Camille Claudel used characters for their artwork.
At the beginning of the 20th century, art evolved with more art deco models, chryselephantine figurines enjoyed great success with Demetre Chiparus
The representations are numerous, some have entire collections. There are, for example, the almost perfect designs of Roman chariots. We still find statues dating from antiquity to our time, like the Gennarelli Amadeo. Sculpture preserves the stories and wars of before.
Jean-Batiste II Lemoine, LR Luce, Alberto Giacometti, Jean de Boulogne and Pietro Tacca are among the many sculptors who marked the 18th century.
Alberto Giacometti is a very famous Swiss painter/sculptor. He participated in the surrealism art movement. Surrealism includes the process of artists creating (sculpture, painting, music, etc.) through all psychic forms beyond the control of reason.
These works of art are very rare, but it is possible to see them in art galleries or museums.
A concept that closely borders on freedom of expression. But artistically, this movement spread a lot at that time. Alberto Giacometti created more than 15 famous statues and also invited himself into other activities such as painting and writing. His best work was "The Walking Man I" in 1960.
Max the Founder is passionate about art and traditional craftsmanship, specializing in bronze casting. With extensive expertise in sculpture and metallurgy, he shares his knowledge of casting techniques, the history of famous foundries, and the secrets of artisan founders. Through his articles, he deciphers the world of bronze, from casting to patina, highlighting the works and artists who perpetuate this ancestral art.