CARING FOR A BRONZE SCULPTURE
Simple Care
Bronze is a durable material that requires little maintenance. For a sculpture kept indoors, a few simple measures are generally enough to preserve its appearance over time.
The main thing is to avoid products that could alter the patina and to clean the sculpture gently whenever necessary.
Dusting a Bronze Sculpture
For regular care, a soft, dry cloth is sufficient in most cases. It removes dust without affecting the patina.
A soft brush can be used to reach less accessible areas and clean textured surfaces without rubbing the bronze.
If necessary, a very slightly damp cloth can also be used, provided the bronze is thoroughly dried afterwards.
What to Avoid
A bronze sculpture should not be treated like a metal object that needs to be polished to a shine. Its colour comes from the patina created at the foundry, and this should be preserved.
It is therefore best to avoid metal polishes, household cleaners, abrasive products, and sponges or cloths that could scratch the surface.
If an unusual mark appears or the patina becomes damaged, it is better to seek advice from the artist or a professional rather than trying to remove it with an unsuitable product.
Should a Bronze Sculpture Be Waxed?
A thin layer of wax is applied once the patination is complete. It protects the surface of the bronze and helps preserve its appearance.
For a sculpture kept indoors, this protective layer does not need to be renewed at any particular interval. Regular care is generally limited to dusting.
If a new application of wax becomes necessary, a microcrystalline wax suitable for bronze can be applied in a very thin layer. If in doubt, it is best to seek advice from the artist or foundry before treating the bronze.
→ Discover how a bronze sculpture is patinated
What About a Sculpture Displayed Outdoors?
Outdoors, conditions are different. Rain, humidity, temperature changes and pollution all have a direct effect on the surface of the bronze.
The patina may therefore change more quickly, and the protective wax may need to be renewed more regularly than for a sculpture kept indoors.
Care also depends on where the sculpture is placed and how exposed it is. For a bronze sculpture permanently displayed outdoors, it is best to ask the foundry or artist about the precautions appropriate to its particular patina.
Alain Choisnet’s sculptures
Alain Choisnet’s sculptures are supplied with their finished patina and protective finish. Intended primarily for indoor display, they subsequently require very little maintenance.
A few simple precautions are enough to preserve the patina without attempting to alter or artificially restore its colour.