5 Reasons Why the World of Bronze Sculpture is Amazing

The craftsmanship of bronze art is impressive! Artists use this versatile metal to create sculptures with lifelike textures, shapes and details. Bronze was formed into countless items throughout history, especially during the Bronze Age. Making bronze sculpture is a fascinating example. It continues today and is growing popular in the latest interior home design fashions. Here’s 5 interesting things to know about this amazing trend:

Bronze is the first alloy invented in history! It’s a metal made of 80 – 90% copper and 10 – 20% tin. It is the most popular sculptural material because it expands when hot and shrinks as it cools, which makes it easier to transfer impressions from the mold. The oldest bronze sculpture is thought to be “Dancing Girl from Mohenjodaro,” circa 2500 B.C. Bronze has been made into weapons, statues, monuments, tools, mechanical parts, and many other items since ancient times.

A bronze sculpture’s journey begins when the artist makes the first sculpture out of clay. A bronze sculptor is also a potter – that’s amazing! In this stage, the artist focuses on creating intricate details that are eventually picked up in the bronze casting. The artist is committed once the first mold is made over top of it. The clay sculpture inside must be shattered in order for the cured mold to be used.

The ability to refine and cast molten bronze into the desired image is astounding. Many steps are required to ensure that the final mold is able to handle the liquid bronze’s extreme temperature as it sets. This is made possible through the “lost wax” process. A wax mold is made over the clay sculpture followed by a ceramic mold that is kiln baked. When it cures and the wax melts away, or is “lost,” the mold is ready for the bronze. It’s no wonder bronze sculpting is as much a science as an art.

Bronze is recognized for its classic golden brown sheen, but did you know there are other colors too? The copper in bronze sculpture reacts to oxygen in the air to create a protective outside layer called a patina. In nature patina is light green, like the Statue of Liberty. Bronze artists add their own man-made patinas to sculptures and create different colors like blue, red and dark green. Brown is the most common color choice.

For more complicated pieces, artists create molds and cast parts of the sculpture separately. Then they weld the finished bronze pieces together into a single sculpture. If the sculptor is fortunate, the welded spots are almost impossible to see with the naked eye. It is a testimony of the sculptor’s skill and accomplishment.

Check out Seaside Art Gallery’s beautiful collection of original bronze sculpture! You don’t want to miss this up-and-coming art trend. A variety of patinas are available, each crafted in splendid detail. A number of the sculptures also qualify as miniature art. All of them are guaranteed in authenticity.