New Volume Provides an Essential Reference for the Material Study of Bronze Sculpture

Since the fourth millennium BCE, cultures around the world have used bronze to produce sculptural forms—a process that involves collaboration and a complex sequence of procedures that reflect the specific technologies and capabilities of a particular period and society.

Thus, any bronze sculpture may offer a unique opportunity to add to our understanding of the people who fostered its creation. Yet, only through interdisciplinary research can the fabrication of these extraordinary objects be properly investigated, interpreted, and documented. This innovative publication bridges the expertise of myriad art-technological specialists to create a new framework for advancing the understanding of bronze sculpture.

Published using Getty’s digital publishing platform Quire, this volume is essential reading for curators, conservators, scientists, archaeologists, sculptors, metallurgists, founders, dealers, collectors, and anyone interested in the life cycle of a bronze. Guidelines for the Technical Examination of Bronze Sculpture (J. Paul Getty Museum, $85, free online) explains how to identify the evidence of process steps, metals used, casting defects, and surface work and alterations before moving on to address analytical techniques ranging from visual exams to imaging, material analyses, and dating. The guidelines are accompanied by detailed illustrations, including videos, charts, and animations; a robust vocabulary, ensuring precision across English, German, French, Italian, and Chinese; a diverse selection of case studies; and a comprehensive bibliography.

Reflecting Getty’s commitment to open content, Guidelines for the Technical Examination of Bronze Sculpture is available online. It may be downloaded free of charge as a PDF or EPUB. For readers who wish to have a bound reference copy, a paperback edition is available for purchase.