Bronze is considered among the best alloys used for molding, since it has a very fine property of expanding in the tiniest details of the mold. Bronze sculpture has a great reputation in terms of strength and resistance, particularly if we compare it with stone and ceramic materials. The best preserved bronze sculpture representations from the antiquity are a relevant proof of just to what extent bronze as a material was used in the arts. Nevertheless, preservation is a problem for this material since it does not survive the passage of time very well. Bronze sculpture includes very extensive statuary groups with figures, equestrian statues and all sorts of sections in the complex artistic representation.
The main technique for the creation of a large bronze sculpture is the preparation of study models that allow the artist to come to the right pose and proportions. Before the final details are established, there could also be an intermediary bronze sculpture to allow scaling, modeling and measuring. Then, in case the size of the bronze sculpture is pretty large, a study for the armature and structural support are necessary so that the complete work may stand in place and fit in the background. Presently, welding has opened the door for a whole range of bronze sculpture applications.
By means of welding techniques, a bronze sculpture can be cast in pieces that are afterwards joined together. This method is highly valuable for the creation of extensive projects. Bronze sculpture also requires special polishing, and the application of this patina will prevent the decay process, protecting the color and the finish at the same time. More special bronze sculpture design includes gold coating, a method known as Ormolu. Popular in the 18th century France, this practice consisted in the use of a gold layer over a soft bronze alloy. The gold actually played the role of the finish, preventing corrosion or time deterioration.
The popularity of bronze sculpture has somehow decayed with the appearance of
newer and more challenging alloys. Artists still use it but only for very special projects. Due to the existence of a larger range of tools, materials and work methods, sculpture as an art has reached a turning point that also marked a revolution in its development. Progress has actually helped sculpture move forward and reinvent itself; yet, bronze sculpture for instance will remain trapped in the past due to its history and material limitations.
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Posted under Bronze Sculpture
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