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Patination, in the most basic sense, is the colouring of bronze alloys. This is achieved by altering the chemical composition of the surface of the metal, giving the sculpture a coloured surface, rich in overlayed variations. The aim with any patination is twofold: to give the sculpture a pleasing, or appropriate, colour, whilst emphasising the form, texture and surface of the cast bronze artwork. Within the gamut of bronze sculpture casting, patination is one of the most intrinsic processes, revealing the final surface colours that the artist has intended. It is the final stage in the multi-faceted, unique process of bronze casting, and perhaps the one that is most visually alluring to viewers.
"Good patination has much in common with good cooking. Like the top chefs, top patineurs have stock recipes that they can vary with small additions of one element or another. Panache, style, timing and an innate sense of colour in relation to form produce combinations that lift their work above the ordinary. At their best they create a bit of magic or poetry that sings off the form." - Rungwe Kingdon, Founder of Pangolin Editions fine art foundry - Artists use patination to achieve a huge spectrum of surface colours, patterns and textures. Explore below the nuancies that can be achieved during this process:
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A Brief History
Within the context of the history of sculpture, the art of patination is a relatively new craft, and has certainly made enormous strides within the last 40 years. Essentially, the first inspirations for patinating new bronze sculpture came from imitating the patina brought about by centuries of natural chemical action, on artifacts that had been buried at sea, underground, or with other valuables of various materials. The natural patinas on these particular object were caused by a combination of its particular place, and the elements found within this.
Perhaps most commonly imagined when describing patina is the verdegris range of greens, that can also include a variety of shades from deep earthy greens to vivid emeralds; or the small spots of orange and red that are produced from iron.
Now, the continued experimentation with the processes, concoctions and application of various patinas by artists and craftsmen mean that new colours and variations are continually found, enhancing both the visual properties of each unique bronze sculpture, and creating a level of depth, variation and 'shimmer' that has previously been difficult to achieve.
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How Artist's Use Patinas
Patination is just one of the many techniques that sculptors and artists can experiment with when casting into bronze. It gives artists the potential to colour their work however they see fit. For many, it is a fruitful ground for experimentation: sometimes subtle graduation does not suit large commissions, yet when these colours are used on smaller sculptures, they appear timeless and show intricate gradutions in depth, form and surface. Nowadays, patination is synonymous with patience and attention to detail, and artists cherish the creative collaboration that this process affords when working with fine art foundries.
Speaking of the relationship between artist and fine art foundry, the stone carver Michael Cooper says:
"[This] gives the foundry a tremendous challenge in finding new and vital resonance of image and form, colour and texture and to this end we harness the depth and colour of the patination spectrum. The organic colours and random textures possible with this chemical colouring process brings a new dimension to the forms created and allows us the dynamic collaboration of working closely in order to give the bronzes the integrity and beauty of their stone originals."
Browse our huge range of patinas across the Sculpture Source platform, in vibrant contemporary tones, earth colours, and everything in between.
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Caring for Patina
Patinated bronze sculpture is often hard-wearing, and it is simple to maintain the original patina for many years to come. When handling bronze sculpture, be aware that the patina can easily scratch; rings, watch straps and buckles are particularly susceptible offenders. Regular cleaning is also important to maintain the longevity and appearance of the sculpture. Avoid using harsh solvents; instead, use a soft, clean cloth to dust and buff smooth surfaces, and a clean, soft dry brush for crevices and textured areas.
The final stage in the patination process is when a clear wax is applied to the surface of the sculpture, to protect and weather-proof the patination, so the sculpture can be displayed both indoors or outside. It is important to pay attention to timely re-waxing: it is ordinarily recommended to re-wax outside sculpture annually, whereas bronze sculpture inside may need re-waxing as little as every 7 years. Please do get in touch with us at Sculpture Source for more advice and guidance on caring for your bronze sculpture.
Sculptor's Materials: Patina
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