bronze sculptures

history of art

what is the main technique used to make bronze sculptures?

modelling

what is the ‘patina’

a tarnish which happens on the surface layer of bronze, copper and other similar metals

how is ‘patina’ caused

through oxidation or other chemical processes

what does the effect of patina and bronze have on a sculpture 

enhances the monumentality 

what type of sculptures is patina usually used for

sculptures in a natural setting, outside

explain the first step of creating bronze

extracting and preparing the metals

• tin ore and copper ore are mined

• each ore is heated in a furnace to remove impurities

• this therefore creates pure tin and pure copper

describe the second step of creating bronze

Combining the metals

• the purified copper is placed into a very hot furnace 

• once melted, the tin is added

• this then creates molten bronze

describe the third process of creating bronze

Casting bronze

• this includes the lost-wax process

lost wax process

create a model of the sculpture/object in wax

cover the wax model in a coat of clay to create a mould

heat the mould

the wax melts and drains out creating a hollow space inside