In the Foundry
A Passage through the Foundry
In the foundry, the sculptures move into a new phase. Through casting, welding, patination, and finishing, they gradually take on their final bronze presence.
Mould Making
Before a sculpture becomes bronze — an alloy of copper and tin — it undergoes a detailed casting process beginning with mould making. The process of bronze casting begins with a model in wax, which is used to form a detailed mould by applying successive layers of ceramic material. Within this mould, a network of channels is created to allow air to escape and molten bronze to flow evenly throughout the form.
Casting
At temperatures of around 1100 degrees Celsius, the molten bronze is poured into the mould, where the sculpture takes on its enduring form in metal. This process follows the traditional cire perdue (lost-wax) technique, in which the mould is sacrificed after casting, making each piece inherently unique.
Cooling, Release & Finishing
The mould is then encased in sand to withstand the intense heat and to allow the bronze to cool gradually over several days. Once fully cooled, the mould is carefully removed, revealing the raw bronze form with its network of casting channels still attached. These are then carefully removed and hand-finished with great precision, leaving behind the individual elements of the sculpture in solid bronze.
Select an image to explore the process in detail.
Welding
The separate elements are then welded together to form the complete sculpture, with the joins carefully refined and seamlessly smoothed by hand.
Patination
The surface is carefully patinated using heat and chemical treatments to develop its final colour, tone, and depth. This process allows for a rich variation of hues, enhancing the character of the bronze and revealing subtle nuances in the form.
Wax Finishing
A protective layer of wax is then applied, sealing the surface and preserving its finish over time, while lending the bronze a subtle sheen.
Cast in collaboration with
Bronsgieterij Stijlaart, Tiel, The Netherlands
Fundición Artística Capa, Irun, Spain