Bernini’s Bronze Master Classes

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Faculty of Arts, the University of Melbourne

Learn about the analysis techniques used by a team of international experts to investigate the bronze sculptures of Gianlorenzo Bernini

Grimwade Centre for Cultural Materials Conservation, The University of Melbourne

Tickets for this event are no longer available. Please email conservation-info@unimelb.edu.au to join the waiting list.

Presented by the Grimwade Centre for Cultural Materials Conservation with the generous support of the University of Melbourne – University of Toronto Joint Research Program:<h3>Bernini’s Bronze Master Classes</h3>11:00am Welcome and Opening Remarks 11.10am The use of X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) in the study of Cultural Heritage Aaron Shugar and Branden Rizzuto (via Zoom) Aaron Shugar and Branden Rizzuto give a basic introduction to X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) and examples of its use in cultural heritage and in an archaeological setting. Issues related to the analysis of metal and calibration, as well as comparable results from other studies will be discussed. While still preliminary, hopeful expectations of the study of Bernini’s Bronzes will be relayed. Aaron N. Shugar is Andrew W. Mellon Professor of Conservation Science at SUNY Buffalo State and a Professor in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Toronto. His research focuses on the analysis of inorganic archaeological and art materials, historic technologies and the development of analytical instrumentation for use in art and archaeology. He is co-editor of Handheld XRF for Art and Archaeology (Leuven, 2014). For the Bernini Project Aaron is calibrating the XRF instrument and directing the acquisition and analysis of XRF data. Branden Rizzuto is a PhD candidate in Anthropology at the University of Toronto. His dissertation research focuses on pre-Colombian metallurgy of the Central Andes and the interrelationships between metallurgy, religious practices, and socio-political transformations on the North Coast of Peru during the Middle Horizon Period (ca. 600-1000 CE). A trained archaeometallurgist and analytical chemist, Branden is one of the XRF specialists for the Bernini&#x27;s Bronzes Project. 12:00pm Technical imaging of bronze sculpture: the use of 3D scanning in the comparison of multiples Jane Bassett Jane Bassett discusses the benefits of scanning versus conventional methods of measurement taking, her experience with different scanners as well as challenges presented by current technologies. Special consideration will be paid to 3D scanning in the study of early modern bronzes: i.e. the identification of after-casts, changes in wax inter-models, and as a visual record for further study. 12.45pm Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) as a compliment to XRF alloy analysis in the Bernini&#x27;s Bronzes project David Bougarit, presented by Jane Bassett. David Bougarit is an Archaeometallurgist who has worked at the Centre de Recherche et de Restauration des Musées de France (C2RMF), Paris, since 1996 where he has been investigating metallic artifacts from almost all historical periods and regions. His primary research interest is the technological approach of copper metallurgy, with a focus on the provenance of copper and fabrication techniques. 1:00pm Exploring the unseen with radiography and endoscopy Lisa Ellis Lisa Ellis shares the project’s use of radiography and endoscopy in the investigation of Bernini’s Bronzes. Examples are taken from bronzes studied by the group revealing what radiography can tell us about casting techniques, differing qualities in associated casts and foundry repairs. 1.45pm The investigation of core material: Thin-section petrography, micro-CT scanning, and 3D image analysis Chandra Reedy via video recording approx. 20-30min Chandra Reedy&#x27;s short video tutorial will introduce the project&#x27;s analysis methods for clay core materials, the refractory material consisting of clay, sand, organic matter, etc., often made with a recipe particular to founders and using locally available components. The function of this material is to fill hollow-cast bronzes to stabilize the figure and to provide a release venue for gases emitted during casting. Some traces of core material are usually left behind and will be collected during examination of the Bernini bronzes. Analysis of this material will be by two methods: (1) thin-section petrography using transmitted polarized light microscopy to visualize, count, measure, and characterize internal inclusions in the core matrix. The results will help identify geographic point of origin of a cast and will be compared with published clay core analyses of bronzes by other relevant artists. 	(2) micro computed tomography (micro-CT) analysis coupled with 3D image analysis will characterize the porosity of solid chunks of material. Since a major function of clay cores are to absorb casting gases and thereby help protect the bronze from casting flaws, understanding porosity characteristics is very important but until very recent advances in micro-CT and 3D image analysis could not be fully studied. The video will show the basic concepts of thin-section petrography as applied to clay core analysis, the micro-CT methodology employed, and the approach to 3D image analysis. Chandra Reedy is Professor at the Joseph R. Biden School of Public Policy &amp; Administration and Director of the Center for Historic Architecture and Design at the University of Delaware. She is author of, amongst many other publications, Thin-Section Petrography of Stone and Ceramic Cultural Materials (London, 2008). She has also served as Editor-in-Chief of Studies in Conservation for the past 12 years. For the Bernini Project Chandra will be conducting thin-section petrography, micro-CT scanning, and 3D image analysis of clay core materials. 2.15pm Summary of the technical study of Bernini’s bronzes at the National Gallery of Victoria Presented by Evonne Levy, Lisa Ellis and Jane BassettThe Bernini’s Bronzes team will summarize preliminary findings following the examination of the NGV’s Bust of Cardinal Richelieu and the Matilda of Tuscany statuette. We will share our process of discerning the techniques used to cast the bronzes, how we document our observations with IPad Pro images, thoughts about features that may prove to link up with other objects, and especially open questions for the examination of other casts from the same model that we have yet to study. 3pm Panel discussion Evonne Levy, Lisa Ellis, and Jane Bassett will be joined by world renowned metals conservator Dr Ian MacLeod, Rennaissance art historian Prof. Jaynie Anderson (UoM), archaeometallurgist Dr Chris Davey (UoM) and International Art curator at NGV, Laurie Benson to discuss aspects around the materiality and authorship of Bernini’s Bronzes. The session will be moderated by the Grimwade Centre’s Dr Jonathan Kemp. 3.45pm- 5.00pm Reception (with food &amp; drinks) The associated lecture &#x27;An Introduction to the Bernini’s Bronzes Project&#x27; takes place at the University of Melbourne at 6pm on Monday 25 July - All welcome, bookings essential. For details and bookings for the lecture please see: <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/an-introduction-to-the-berninis-bronzes-project-tickets-375817780097" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/an-introduction-to-the-berninis-bronzes-project-tickets-375817780097</a> Images:Gianlorenzo BerniniCountess Matilda of Tuscany (c. 1634)gilt-bronze(a-b) 53.7 × 25.4 × 18.2 cm (overall)National Gallery of Victoria, MelbourneFelton Bequest, 1970Photo: National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne

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