The papers in this volume look at the study of the grander French bronze sculptures between 16th and 18th centuries in relation to more decorative and utilitarian objects in an attempt to get a better understanding of the nature of bronze making at that time.
They focus on the origins and cross-fertilization of ideas and technology related to the making of bronzes in France between the Renaissance and the 18th century - particularly relating to the production of specific sculptors and founders, or of specific works of art.
While it is seen that written sources reveal much about the business of bronze working, from the structure of workshops and the nature, sources and quantities of materials, archaeological investigations of foundry sites (remains of moulds, furnaces etc.) teach us about technological knowhow about which little has been written down and close scrutiny of the objects themselves produce a wealth of evidence (toolmarks, structure, alloy and core materials composition, types of repairs). Elemental analysis of metals has produced increasingly useful information for attribution and dating.
In the end, an integration of these technical approaches with connoisseurship is key to understanding and characterizing the fabrication process of particular works, and/or to track later copies.
(0 Comentarios)
