Relevant categories: Bronzes,Objet d Art
(Above photo - One of the most famous original versions of the Mercury bronze was by Italian artist Giambologna )
The Roman mythological god Mercury has been depicted in the form of bronze sculptures and a young man just descended from the heavens. Mercury was the son of Jupiter and Maia. In the world of the gods, he was the messenger as well as the guide of souls to the underworld. In some Mercury bronze sculptures, the god has been depicted as a young man, which in others, he looks a little bit older.
Where a Mercury bronze had a winged helmet, it was used to represent his efficiency and speed in dispatching souls into the underworld. To the Romans, Mercury was also considered the patron god of trade and commerce. But that is not all. Mercury also played the roles of god of financial gain, communication, messages, eloquence, luck, thieves, trickery, boundaries, and travelers.
In most of the Mercury bronze statues you will find around, he is barely touching the ground with the toes. His body is resting lightly on that particular toe. The arms are outstretched and the body full of muscles. Another feature would be a pair of winged feet and a caduceus or staff with wings and two snakes entwined around it.
Mercury bronze statues were handmade by casting. Artists used the old-fashioned process of Lost Wax Casting. Thus, the quality of the sculptures was of the highest quality. That is why some of them have lasted for so long. The Lost Wax Casting process is essentially a multi-step process, which ensures the production of a high-quality bronze sculpture.
(Above photo - Mercury Statue - Hermes Pan Pipes Offering to Minerva Sculpture )
Once it is finished, the statue is mounted onto an exquisite marble base complete with the name of the artist engraved on a brass plaque. You should also be able to see the artist’s signature on the sculpture. These are some of the things that will tell you if you are dealing with a genuine Mercury bronze or not. Given the way they are made, each of these pieces has realistic qualities and intricate features. Once the casting process is over, the sculpture is refined by the artist to give you high-quality work.
In order to properly finish the statue, the artist may paint it. Before that, the artist would chase the surface to remove imperfections and make it smooth. Any air bubbles or dips are filled in. this ensures that the sculpture is as smooth as can be. The next step involves applying some sort of varnish. It is also possible to use a combination of wax and acid. This will give the sculpture a unique bronze hue.
(Above photo - XL Italian Bronze Mercury Statue Casting Hermes by Giambologna )
When finished, the Mercury bronze may appear differently. For example, it might have a yellowish or green tint. Some may look slightly gold-colored. Through patination, the artist is able to achieve the color and tone they desire. An artist may also apply patina to certain areas of the sculpture to emphasize certain fine details and create a sense of depth and texture in the piece of art.
If you are looking for a Mercury bronze sculpture, make sure you pay attention to the things we have addressed in this write-up.
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