French Bronzes: History, Materials and Techniques of Bronze (6/9/2012
- 6/12/2012) 
International symposium organised by: Musée du Louvre and Centre de Recherche et de Restauration des Musées de FrancePlace: Paris, FR
Address: Palais du Louvre, 14, quai François Mitterrand Paris, FR
The exhibition "Bronzes français : de la Renaissance au siècle
des lumières" (Musée du Louvre, Metropolitan Museum of Art, J. Paul
Getty Museum, 2007-2008) helped to refine and deepen our
understanding of so-called "French" bronzes and also pointed
towards important new avenues of investigation. Taking advantage of
the momentum generated by the show, a three-day international
symposium will be held in June 2012, bringing together
historians (of technology, art, trade, ideas), conservation
scientists, curators, and conservator-restorers, to engage
a profitable inter-disciplinary exchange.
The conference will focus primarily on the following three
inter-related subject areas:
1. The origins and cross-fertilization of ideas and techniques
related to the making of bronzes in France between the Renaissance
and the 18th century. This would include three types of
perspectives: chronological, geographical and typological.
2. The production of specific sculptors and founders, or of
specific works of art. While technical aspects would be mostly
discussed, all approaches aiming at documenting the production
modes will be much appreciated, including the diverse roles of
those who had a hand in the making of bronze statuary (e.g.,
sculptors, founders, merchants) and how this may have impacted
stylistic and technical outcome.
3. Current state-of-the-art research methods and their application
to multi-disciplinary studies. This would include historical and
archaeological investigations, analytical studies of materials
(e.g. metal, core and patina), as well as experimental
reconstructions of metallurgical processes.
Futher information
Program, Location and Registration can be found on the
event website.
David Bourgarit - Centre de Recherche et de Restauration des Musées
de France, Palais du Louvre, 14, quai François Mitterrand F-75001
Paris. E-Mail : french.bronze@culture.gouv.fr
