Western Bronzes
Exhibition of Bronze Sculptures of the European countries from the collection at the Salar Jung Museum
Christ and the Twelve Disciples (circa 1450-1500) by UnknownLos Angeles County Museum of Art
Art and Civilization
The need to create is part of being human. Since pre-historic times, human civilizations have found itself using the available resources to create art that stirs emotions within or document ways of living.
Sculptures – A form of art
Sculptures are considered as 3D form of art made via carving, casting, modelling or constructing materials.
However, a statue carved of stone or metal was considered as a piece of art only after the 15th century.
Why are Sculptures important?
Sculptures are prime evidences of artistic creations of the lost civilizations. The origin of sculptures is traced back to Egypt and Greece. An array of art movements from Classical, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Rococco, Neo-classicism, modern etc. were witnessed in sculptures.
Bronze – an ideal medium for sculpting
Bronze is an alloy of copper and tin. Humans first discovered the use of bronze around 5000 years ago, in an era called Bronze Age (3300 BCE –1200 BC) for making tools. With time, given its versatility, rich coloring and fluidity it became a favorable medium for artists alike.
Hellenistic Phase of Sculpture
Hellenism (neoclassicism), an aesthetic movement in 18th and 19th century England and Germany involved imitation of ancient Greek culture. In this phase, sculptors pursued naturalism with three major characteristics – expressive movement, realistic anatomy and ornate details
Renaissance Phase of Sculpture
The Renaissance Period is considered as the rebirth of Classical antiquity in Italy spanning from the 15th century to the 17th century which later spread through other parts of the world. Sculptors created works of classical antiquity with a new humanistic view.
Art In Action Exhibit (1941-03) by Peter StackpoleLIFE Photo Collection
Custom of Replicas
Humanity is obsessed with acquiring ancient works of art. Cultivated Athenians discussed sculptures in great detail and wrote documents in its admiration leading to formation of art history. This encouraged making of replicas with all the details available for the contemporary.
Sculpture Gallery (1901/1999)Salar Jung Museum
Collection of Bronze Sculptures at the Salar Jung Museum
The museum is fortunate to have a wide and dynamic collection of bronze sculptures from all across the world dating to various time periods and art movements. The sculpture collection can be traced back to the Romasque, Hellenistic, modernism and Renaissance phases of making.
Laocoon and his sons (1901/1999) by Agesander, Polydorus, and Athenodorus (Copy)Salar Jung Museum
Laocoon and his two sons
A bronze copy of one of the most famous ancient sculptures from the Hellenistic phase of art. Its original was made in stone, dated 50 B.C. by three Rhodian sculptors.
The group sculpture describes the destruction of the priest Laocoon and his two sons by serpents. This fate befell Laocoon in his effort to forestall the fate of the city of Troy.
Venus De Milo (1901/1999) by Alexandros (Copy)Salar Jung Museum
Venus De Milo
A bronze copy of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love also known as Venus by Romans. Its original was made in marble by Alexandros, a sculptor of Antioch. It was found in pieces on the Aegean island of Melos and donated to the Louvre Museum in 1821.
The sculpture depicts Goddess Venus standing semi-nude with modernized academic drapery and without arms. It is one of most famous sculptures of Hellenistic phase. No arms adds to its charms, popularity and evaluation.
Thorn Extractor (1901/1999) by Gustav Eberlein (Copy)Salar Jung Museum
Thorn Extractor
A bronze copy of a naked boy, seated on a rock pulling a thorn out of his left foot. Its original was made in bronze by Gustav Eberlein. This statue is an example of the Hellenistic phase in sculptures.
Mercury on flight (1859/1859) by Main Artist - Giovanni da Bologna. Copied by Barbedienne Fondeur, 1859Salar Jung Museum
Mercury on Flight
Messenger of gods represented as a nude, muscular man with wings on his ankles. He balances on the toes of one foot as the other leg and one arm raised up. He holds a scepter tucked near his side.
A bronze copy of an original ‘Flying Mercury’ created in the 16th century by Jean Boulogne, also known as Giovanni da Bologna.
Three Graces (1801/1899) by Germain Pilon (Copy)Salar Jung Museum
Three Graces
It represents daughters of Greek god Zeus supporting an urn. A bronze copy of an original made in marble by Germain Pilon. The original piece was commissioned by Catherine de Medici to store the ashes of King Henri II of France (1519-59).
Three female figures marvelously balance the urn on their heads.
Dancing figure (1801/1899)Salar Jung Museum
Fisherman Dancing
It represents a young fisherman doing Tarantella Dance. It is signed F. Duret on the pedestal. Francisque Joseph Duret was a French sculptor. This statue depicts a man in a dancing posture with his hands above his hand holding clappers.
Eros and Psyche (1801/1899) by Antonia Canova.(Copy)Salar Jung Museum
Eros and Psyche
It represents a popular tale from Greek Mythology where Psyche was revived by Cupid’s kiss. This bronze statue is an adaptation of an original work in marble by Antonia Canova. It represents a moment of great emotion and energy.
Bust of a Lady (1910/1910) by D.A. PonzoSalar Jung Museum
Bust of a Lady
English sculptures of the early 20th century showcased a preference for both bronze and marble combination. This statue is a masterpiece by D.A. Ponzo, made in Europe. The lady is carved in marble while her attire is casted from bronze.
Howling Stag (1901/1999) by Josef Franz PallenbergSalar Jung Museum
Howling Stag
The sculpture here is a hollow cast of a howling stag standing on a rectangular base. It is sculpted by popularly acclaimed animal portraitist Josef Franz Pallenberg (1822 – 1946).
Franz started sketching at an early age and later trained as a sculptor under Karl Jansseen. In 1912, he established a private zoo in his new Studio at Düsseldorf to study animals.
Last Supper (1901/1999) by Leonardo Da Vinci (Copy)Salar Jung Museum
Last Supper Plaque
A bronze plaque depicting the final meal shared by Jesus and his disciples. It is inspired by a famous wall mural by Leonardo Da Vinci. Embossed figures of Jesus Christ and his twelve disciples are framed inside a wooden structure.
Augustus of Prima Porta (1801/1899)Salar Jung Museum
Augustus of Prima Porta
A bronze copy of an original marble sculpture excavated at the Villa of Livia owned by Augustus’ third wife, Livia Drusilla in Prime Porta in 1863. The statue is an idealized image of Augustus showing a standard pose of a Roman orator.
Wrestlers (1901/1999)Salar Jung Museum
Wrestlers
It depicts two men engaged in the pankration style of wrestling, a sporting event introduced into the Greek Olympic Games in 648 BC. This sculpture is a bronze copy based on 3rd century BCE Greek original, which was lost in antiquity.
Text and Curation: Pallavi Baheti
Photography: M. Krishnamurthy and Bahadur Ali
Research Assistance: Dinesh Singh
Project Direction : Dr. A. Nagender Reddy, Director, Salar Jung Museum, Hyderabad, India.
Special thanks: Soma Ghosh, Librarian
References –
1) B.Kotaiah (1986), A Hand Book of Western Arts, Salar Jung Museum Board
2) Taschen (1991), Sculpture: The Great Art of Antiquity from the 8th century BC to the 5th century AD
3) Draper, J. D., October 2002, Bronze Sculpture in the Renaissance, The MET Museum
4) Kelly Richman (2019), How the Natural Beauty of Hellenistic Sculpture Has Captivated the World for Centuries, My Modern Met
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