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Modern Sculpture This project aims at analyzing the alloy composition and patination of modern sculptures – generally termed “bronzes” - made by Matisse, Picasso, Brancusi, and other prominent modern artists in the AIC collection. Materials composition has been investigated both non-invasively with X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, and through the use inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy (ICP) of minute amounts of materials drilled from the base or interior of the cast sculptures. This project provides a unique opportunity to examine the entire collection of bronze sculptures by each artist in the AIC’s holdings. The goal is to highlight changes in the alloys during the course of time (following the will of the artist, or changes in metals technology at the foundry), or specific compositions favored by a particular artist or foundry. Statistical analysis will assist in grouping the objects based on minor and major elemental composition and available art-historical or foundry information. Knowledge of the specific elemental composition may provide curators with possible supplemental tools in the authentication and/or dating of modern bronzes. Additionally, the impact of the thickness of the patina on the accuracy of the non-invasive quantitative determination of alloy composition with XRF will be assessed through measurements on metal specimens patinated with traditional recipes.
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The mechanical characteristics
and the resistance to atmospheric corrosion of bronze artifacts are a direct
consequence of the chemical composition and microstructure of the objects
themselves. Moreover, the material composition of the artifacts can shed
light on ancient production technology and give insights into the provenance
and possibly the age of the bronzes. Knowledge of the superficial morphology
provides important information on the state of conservation of the objects
that in turn will lead to the design of better preservation strategies.
The Art Institute holds an extensive collection of ancient Chinese bronzes.
The characterization of their materials composition, surface chemistry,
and fabrication technology provides help in answering some of the questions
raised by prominent scholars in the field.
