Lion Attacking a Horse 

This bronze sculpture of a Lion Attacking a Horse was made by Giambologna, sometime before his death in 1608. Bronze is an alloy of copper and tin, prized for its ability to capture fine detail through the lost-wax casting process. First, the artist would have modeled the composition in wax, then encased it in a mold. The wax was melted out – hence the term “lost wax” – and molten bronze poured in. After cooling, the mold was broken away, and the bronze refined with chisels and files. The final warm, brown patina results from chemical treatment of the surface. This was no simple workshop practice, but a highly skilled activity, requiring the coordinated labor of many individuals. Giambologna was celebrated in his day not only for his design genius, but also for his mastery of bronze casting. Next time you see a bronze, remember that behind its refined appearance lies an entire world of technical knowledge, workshop practice, and human effort.