Metal sculptures
are almost commonplace in our modern cities, particularly in parks, museums and in front of buildings. While the statues of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln may not bear any resemblance to the avant-garde sculptures of modern art, they do share a common past. Understanding where metal sculptures came from allows us to appreciate where this ancient art form is going.
Ancient Civilizations
Ancient Egyptians not only carved likenesses of their pharoahs and deities out of stone, they also cast them in precious metals like gold. These statues were life-life reproductions of pharoahs but were also fantastic flights of fancy when gods and goddesses were the subject.
The ancient Chinese of the Shang dynasty sometimes carved metal statues of elephants, tigers or people. Unlike their Egyptian cousins, however, these pieces were usually crafted of bronze.
Greece and Rome
Like the civilizations that came before them, Greece and Rome also made life-like statues out of metal, some of which are still being discovered today. A recent archeological excavation of a sunken Greek ship revealed a bronze statue that is nearly 2000 years old, yet still retained its exquisite detail. In Greece and Rome, sculptors were highly respected artists who commanded high prices for their work. Statues at this time glorified the human form and were usually naked or barely clothed.
Medieval
After the fall of the Roman empire, Germanic tribes formed into kingdoms and began to mimic the greatness of the Romans. The Holy Roman Empire's leaders, especially its founder Charlemagne, patronized artists who created iron and bronze statues commemorating their rule. Some of these statues also depicted religious figures, particularly Jesus and the Virgin Mary, and were placed in the new Romanesque cathedrals being built throughout western Europe. Statues of this time were usually martial in theme, sporting weapons or shields.
Renaissance
Renaissance literally means "rebirth." During this period in Europe, the arts flourished on a level not seen since Roman times. Marble and alabaster became the most prevalent materials sculptors worked with, but even the great artists of the age still produced magnificent statues (usually made of bronze or copper) of their patrons, kings, queens or--in the case of a commission by the Catholic Church--of saints. These kinds of statues usually were adorned in realistic clothing.
Modern Era
Modern states such as France, England and the United States embraced the new concept of "nationalism," or pride in one's nation, throughout the 19th century. As a result, metal statues, usually cast in "classic" bronze, were placed in town squares, in parks and throughout the city to remind the people of the strong leaders their country had produced. Metal statues also continued to commemorate fallen soldiers well into the 20th century; the Korean War, Iwo Jima and Vietnam Veteran monuments are all examples of metal sculptures.
Avant-Garde
Avant garde, or "advanced guard," art also sculpts in metal. Unlike earlier centuries' artists who chose metal for its enduring quality, Avant-garde artists tend to choose metal for its allegory of modernity, angularity and rigidity. Despite these themes, some modern art sculptures, particularly moving sculptures, can be fragile-seeming and evoke delicate movements.
