Large Bronzes in the Renaissance

Large bronzes are rarely considered as a category in their own right. This volume explores key issues associated with large-scale bronze production in Europe from the fifteenth through early seventeenth centuries. Featuring recent research by an international group of sixteen prominent curators, art historians, and conservators, the book presents a variety of perspectives on the production of large bronzes, including great works by major artists and the role of the foundry in their manufacture. Nearly 300 duotone images illustrate the beauty and diversity of these Renaissance sculptures.

The essays collected here demonstrate the range of approaches and resources that can be applied for analyzing bronzes in depth and for understanding their setting within a broader cultural context. These include technical examination and analysis involving collaboration between curator and scientist, as well as archival and literary research.



Studies in the History of Art, National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., Center for Advanced Study in the Visual Arts