Starting on the 9th of March 2007 the Bonnefantenmuseum Maastricht is presenting a prestigious exhibition of Western European bronze sculptures, from the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam, showcasing the history of this genre over three centuries, from 1450 to the 1800s. The curators have chosen around 50 bronze sculptures, on loan from the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam, produced by artists such Verrocchio, Hendrick de Keyser, Giambologna or Adriaen de Vries.
The exhibition is titled "From Vulcan's Forge", reminding of the mythogical Roman god of fire, the smith of the gods.
Among the most important works exhibited is a bronze candelabra, made for the famous Palazzo Vecchio in Florence, but laso some Burgundian statues, four bronze gargoyles (shaped like griffins), many heroic and mythological figures, decorative compositions and many others.
Starting in 2005 researchers were able to examine these bronze artworks using neutron radiography and tomography, so it was possible to see the inside of the statues, discovering new information about when and how the statues were made, exactly what materials and techniques were used and if any modifications have been made over time.
May 2007
