Bronze Sculpture for Sale

The technique of creating bronze sculptures has remained largely unchanged since ancient times. Sculptors begin by molding the subject in wax, then encase it in clay, before pouring molten bronze, an alloy of copper and tin, into the mold. Once the bronze cools, the clay is broken away, leaving the bronze sculpture behind. This time-tested process allows for high levels of detail, making bronze a highly valued material for sculptors, particularly for outdoor works due to its robustness and resistance to the elements. Additionally, bronze sculptures can be enhanced with patinas, which give them a range of color nuances, adding to their appeal and uniqueness.

Bronze is one of the oldest materials used in art, dating back to around 2800 BC, when it was first used to create tools and sculptures in ancient civilizations such as Mesopotamia, Egypt, and China. In Mesopotamia, bronze was used to represent animals in sacred art, while in Egypt, it was used to personify gods and create small statues for tombs. However, it was in ancient Greece where the material truly flourished, as craftsmen began to create remarkably lifelike human figures and deities. This innovation cemented bronze's place in the history of art, with many Greek works being imported to Rome. In Rome, the demand for bronze sculptures grew, and the production of bronze statues became a popular way to decorate theatres and the homes of the wealthy.

As Christianity rose to prominence, the focus shifted to church decorations, leading to the replacement of bronze sculptures with stone carvings. It wasn't until the 14th century that the art form experienced a revival, with the rediscovery of bronze masterpieces during archaeological excavations in Italy. This resurgence continued into the 15th century, when artists like Filippo Brunelleschi and Lorenzo Ghiberti used bronze to decorate the Florence Baptistery doors, marking the beginning of the Renaissance. Donatello, influenced by Roman art, was a pioneer in conveying emotion through bronze sculptures, followed by his pupil, Andrea del Verrocchio, who also trained Leonardo da Vinci. As the Renaissance spread across Europe, bronze sculptures became highly sought after, particularly in Italy, where artists competed to produce the most impressive works.

The 16th century saw the Flemish sculptor Jean de Bologne rise to prominence as the master of bronze sculpture, and his influence played a key role in spreading the technique across Europe. In France, however, the demand for bronze sculptures fluctuated with the political regime, especially during the reign of Louis XIV, when sculptors were commissioned to create bronze works to decorate the royal court, including the grand halls of Versailles.

The 19th century saw a revival of bronze sculpture, with artists like Auguste Rodin and Camille Claudel pushing the boundaries of the medium. The 20th century saw further innovation, with movements like Cubism and Art Deco incorporating bronze into their works. While bronze is a heavy and expensive material, which can make it less accessible for collectors, contemporary artists continue to use it for large-scale, striking sculptures. On Artsper, you can find bronze works by renowned contemporary artists such as Giuseppe Penone, Alberto Giacometti, César Baldaccini, and Philippe Pasqua. From Giacometti's surreal, elongated figures to the whimsical butterflies and still-life sculptures of Pasqua, bronze continues to captivate with its enduring appeal, blending tradition and innovation in the modern art world.

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Sculpture, Gathering, Philip Hearsey

Gathering

Philip Hearsey

Sculpture - 16 x 27 x 19 cm Sculpture - 6.3 x 10.6 x 7.5 inch

$2,925

Sculpture, Shelter I, Philip Hearsey

Shelter I

Philip Hearsey

Sculpture - 37 x 32 x 27 cm Sculpture - 14.6 x 12.6 x 10.6 inch

$5,218

Sculpture, Sprouts, Milko Dobrev

Sprouts

Milko Dobrev

Sculpture - 27.5 x 9 x 5 cm Sculpture - 10.8 x 3.5 x 2 inch

$1,461

Sculpture, Fairy, Milko Dobrev

Fairy

Milko Dobrev

Sculpture - 34 x 8 x 7 cm Sculpture - 13.4 x 3.1 x 2.8 inch

$1,404

Sculpture, La Famille, Miguel Guía

La Famille

Miguel Guía

Sculpture - 28 x 24 x 24 cm Sculpture - 11 x 9.4 x 9.4 inch

$1,310

Sculpture, Single Whip, Miguel Guía

Single Whip

Miguel Guía

Sculpture - 30 x 38.5 x 12.5 cm Sculpture - 11.8 x 15.2 x 4.9 inch

$2,359

Sculpture, A bird, Milko Dobrev

A bird

Milko Dobrev

Sculpture - 46 x 23 x 7 cm Sculpture - 18.1 x 9.1 x 2.8 inch

$1,989

Sculpture, L'attente, Martín Duque

L'attente

Martín Duque

Sculpture - 30 x 29 x 15 cm Sculpture - 11.8 x 11.4 x 5.9 inch

$1,568

Sculpture, Family I, Nando Kallweit

Family I

Nando Kallweit

Sculpture - 30 x 11 x 8 cm Sculpture - 11.8 x 4.3 x 3.1 inch

$2,227

Sculpture, Frères, Miguel Guía

Frères

Miguel Guía

Sculpture - 25 x 28 x 10 cm Sculpture - 9.8 x 11 x 3.9 inch

$1,147

Sculpture, Anonymous, Miguel Guía

Anonymous

Miguel Guía

Sculpture - 48 x 11.5 x 10 cm Sculpture - 18.9 x 4.5 x 3.9 inch

$1,334

Sculpture, Fragment II, Philip Hearsey

Fragment II

Philip Hearsey

Sculpture - 28.5 x 18 x 15 cm Sculpture - 11.2 x 7.1 x 5.9 inch

$2,087

Sculpture, Recognition, Philip Hearsey

Recognition

Philip Hearsey

Sculpture - 29.5 x 15 x 12.5 cm Sculpture - 11.6 x 5.9 x 4.9 inch

$2,435

Sculpture, August II, Philip Hearsey

August II

Philip Hearsey

Sculpture - 31 x 18 x 13 cm Sculpture - 12.2 x 7.1 x 5.1 inch

$1,635

Sculpture, Let's Go I, Philip Hearsey

Let's Go I

Philip Hearsey

Sculpture - 35 x 26 x 9.5 cm Sculpture - 13.8 x 10.2 x 3.7 inch

$2,435

Sculpture, Plunge 4/9, Philip Hearsey

Plunge 4/9

Philip Hearsey

Sculpture - 18 x 26 x 16 cm Sculpture - 7.1 x 10.2 x 6.3 inch

$2,435

Sculpture, Surge II, Philip Hearsey

Surge II

Philip Hearsey

Sculpture - 25 x 43 x 18 cm Sculpture - 9.8 x 16.9 x 7.1 inch

$4,756

Sculpture, Le regard perdu, Marc Petit

Le regard perdu

Marc Petit

Sculpture - 36 x 19.5 x 18 cm Sculpture - 14.2 x 7.7 x 7.1 inch

$4,914

Sculpture, Sharing, Philip Hearsey

Sharing

Philip Hearsey

Sculpture - 31 x 33 x 10 cm Sculpture - 12.2 x 13 x 3.9 inch

$2,435

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Need help with Bronze Sculpture for Sale ?
How is a bronze sculpture made?

Bronze sculptures are made from a series of wax molds, into which the sculptor pours melted bronze to create the final sculpture.

Why is bronze used for sculptures?

Bronze is used for sculptures because it expands just before it hardens, resulting in the accentuation of fine details. The bronze then shrinks slightly as it cools down, which makes it easy to remove the cast. 

How can you tell if a sculpture is bronze?

You can tell if a sculpture is bronze by testing if a magnet sticks to it, as iron is magnetic. Bronze also does not have the ability to rust, so a bronze sculpture will not have signs of corrosion on its surface.