MercierART
Classical Figurative Sculpture

Patination is the process of stabilizing the oxidization of copper on the bronze surface and coloring of the bronze in a way that the artist feels increases the impact or refines the statement that the piece makes. This process can be anything from sealing the polished bronze so it keeps a bright lusted to a detail painting of the piece similar to a 3-D painting.

It is fascinating to see the same sculpture edition with different Patinas. One can often see and feel the difference it makes in the emotional and visual impact of the sculpture.

If the bronze surface were left untreated it would start out a golden bronze color and then within a few weeks slowly start getting darker. If it were in a dry climate it would get darker and browner. If it were in a wet rainy environment it would get greener. If left unsealed (waxing and polishing is a common final practice of many Patinas) when the piece is handled the moisture and oil from hands will leave a dark spot that will begin to discolor the metal.

In ancient Greece Patinas often consisted of elaborate coloring to make them look like people. Stones were set in the eye sockets to resemble eyes. After centuries of exposure to the environment the colors dried and fell off (some of the works were thrown in the ocean to prevent capture during wars and the sea water dissolved the colors off.) The sculpture then took on the color of bronze with water (light green) of seawater (dark green to black) oxidations. Since so many people have seen this patina on ancient works in the last century they have become the most common patinas.

The Italian reproductions of ancient works are done in a light to dark green; it is often called Italian green. The French have favored a rich brown sometime called French brown, August Rodin worked most of his life with a black Patina, it's formula is well known and in fact is called Rodin Black.

These methods of doing a patina are very time consuming and require a great deal of skill and experience. The results are well worth the effort as they produce works with a rich and pleasing coloring that can be enjoyed for years or thousands of years in some cases.

Industrial manufactures have developed chemicals that create a patina quickly (dip it in a tank of the chemical for 30 seconds instead of having to apply it with a brush and torch for 2 hours) and cheaply with amazing uniformity so that all pieces look exactly the same as opposed to each piece looking unique. One of the most common of these chemicals is call M-80 it is used as a black base. I have tried M-80 several times but I have noticed that it makes that sculpture look flat (not surprising since it is formulated for uniformity) and have a cold appearance.