Bronze sculpture, meant to be enjoyed in the outdoors, can maintain its original appearance when properly cared for. Pygmalion Elements & Sculpture provides outdoor bronze sculpture care which includes thorough cleaning and waxing of the surface and an assessment of the condition of the piece. Problems such as cracks, discoloration of the patina due to unwanted corrosion, and any structural damage will be identified and possible remedies for the ongoing health of the sculpture will be suggested. All work will be documented digitally for your records.
Thinking of Patina
A patina is a rust-like coating or tarnish that appears on the surface of bronze and other metals through a chemical reaction. Bronze patina, in particular, can be quite complex and interesting, producing many different colors and effects due to the way in which the copper in the bronze reacts with certain chemicals. Over the centuries, masters in patination have concocted different recipes to achieve certain colors and looks.
A bronze typically leaves a foundry with a wax coating to protect the patina. This coating helps prevent oxygen from getting to the bronze, oxidizing the surface and aging and changing the color of the patina. This coating will wear over time, exposing the patina, more and more, to the elements. This is why a thorough cleaning with a gentle soap to remove pollen, dust and other undesirables, and a coating of paste wax which, when buffed up, helps provide protection to the bronze from the elements, must be done regularly for the preservation of the piece.
Increlac* is a product that seals and preserves the patina's look. Some foundries/artists choose this laquer coating for their bronzes and then add a light coating of wax over it. Its advantage is that the environment will have much less say in the color of the piece, helping to keep acids off and preventing color change. It just depends upon the artist's vision and/or the desire of the owner as to how they want the sculpture to react to the environment. This coating should be reexamined by a professional about every 2 or 3 years.
Au Naturale
Even when properly cared for, it is natural for a bronze's patina to deepen and mellow. Environments natually want to change a sculpture; rain, air, the touch of humans and sunlight, among others, all play a role. On a fine bronze piece, in most cases, this is a welcomed change and is highly desirable. A gentle wash and rewaxing will bring out the positive nature of this change.
Some sculptures that are unfortunately so corroded so that, not only the original patina is gone, but the natural one has produced small divots, pocmarks and white or black corrosion, needs deeper help. If left like this, a sculpture can have actual material loss from the surface. Surface detail could be worn away or it could marr smooth sections. These problems need to be diagnosed and solutions, such as repatination, can be recommended.