Bronzes

Bronze is gold when it comes out of its ceramic casing at the foundry. Acids can be applied to give it different hues. The foundry professionals spend years learning how to heat the metal to the right temperature, how to add the acids of different colours with a brush, how to use water to cool the metal down and then apply more colour until you have the right intensity while also maintaining a certain transparency for the shine to come through.

So much can go wrong! You heat too much and you tarnish the metal for good. The brush can leave marks; the layers can be too thick and opaque. But what a beautiful effect when all is done! After the colour, liquid wax is applied to seal it in and also add shine. Antioxidants and other chemicals can be added to protect the statue from the elements.

Toussaint’s Blue Coat And Everything Blue! 

By Dominique Dennery September 5, 2017