Architectonic Bronze as sculptural work
In order to speak about the historical and artistic legacy of bronze, we have invited Mr. Alfredo Ureña, Professor of Art History at the University of Almería, to participate in our blog. We appreciate his cooperation as an interesting and entertaining post which highlights the importance of this material throughout history. We hope you enjoy reading it as much as us.
———
Bronze has been a crucial material throughout History. Its use is rooted in Prehistory, to the point of naming a particular period of time, such as the Bronze Age.
This material is very appreciated in sculpture for its ductility and versatility and its properties and results are very well considered after those of gold and silver. Additionally, bronze provides a remarkable variety of finish with an indisputable high aesthetic quality.
Following different fusion procedures, bronze has been used as artistic material since the classical period of Ancient Greece. Besides, some of the most renowned works of art have been made with bronze, reaching beyond the sculptural field to link to the constructive field and becoming now, through Architectonic Bronze, in real monumental sculpture (Clarification: from the perspective of History of Art, monumental sclupture is that linked to an architectonic frame).
In this context, Architectonic Bronze rummages into the rich effects of the past, of Byzantine, Islamic, Moorish, Renaissance and Baroque inspiration to reinvent spaces and provide a renewed and exclusive artistic mark.
HISTORICAL AND ARTISTIC LEGACY OF BRONZE:
Bronze has been a highlighted material throughout history. In fact, the geographical context in which Architectonic Bronze has been developed, the province of Almeria, has a transcendental historical relationship with bronze, in particular, and metal in general.
Precisely, the archaeological site of El Argar, located in Antas (province of Almería) belongs to Bronze Age and it is one of the most important not only in Spain but throughout the Mediterranean Basin. While in the Chalcolithic or Copper Age, another key archaeological site is Los Millares, in the valley of the Andarax river.
In the field of sculpture, without being a noble metal such as gold or silver, BRONZE has been much-revered for its ductility and versatility when working it both cold and mostly molten.
Applying different fusion procedures, bronze has been used as an artistic material from the Classical period of Ancient Greece (from the VI and V centuries B.C.). some of the summits works of history Universal art with it, such as The equestrian statue of Emperor Marcus Aurelius at the Capitoline Museum in Rome, from the II century of our era.
Some works in the Renaissance, such as The Gates of Paradise at the Baptistery in Florence,by Lorenzo Ghiberti; Donatello’s David; Charles V and The Fury, by Leon and Pompeyo Leoni,at the Prado Museum.
Moving into the nineteenth century, we find very featured pieces as well known as The Thinker by Rodin, to name just a few examples.
- Armas de bronce. Edad del Bronce
- ‘Marco Aurelio Ecuestre’, Roma, 176 d. C.
- David, Donatello. Florencia, año 1430.
- ‘Puertas del Paraíso’, Lorenzo Ghiberti. Florencia, 1452
- ‘Carlos V y el furor’, Leone Leoni. Madrid 1551-1553
- ‘El Pensador’, Rodin. París, 1880
But even today, and tucked in the XXI century, bronze remains a remarkable and recurrent artistic material, which even reaches beyond the field of sculpture to bond with architecture, as the access doors to the Prado Museum’s extension, a work by the sculptor Cristina Iglesias, in 2007.
In this context, in which ductile combines constructive, we can place the Architectonic Bronze project. Aware of the technical potential of this material and the added value that provides the historical legacy of bronze, from the University of Almería through Architectonic Bronze Project is made a rereading all of this material.
This innovative bronze surface opens up new possibilities for processing, presentation and application, taking advantage of all its plastic and ornamental wealth. Creating new versatile three-dimensional surfaces, unique and unrepeatable motifs and exquisite compositions and gold finishes that bring elegant brightness and warmth of light.
In my case, I would stress that has greatly struck me that when it is applied Architectonic Bronze to the covers, at first glance, can make us remember, the effect of carved ceilings and gilded and polychromed Mudejar coffered. But at the same time, when disposed on a vertical plane, it offers graceful and light textures that might even evoke the effect of rich fabrics and openwork embroidery, in the manner of a metallic lace or guipure.