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Medium: Bronze

Collage of nine different works of art from the GVSU Art Museum Collection that showcase bronze art in the collection.

Bronze is an alloy metal consisting primarily of copper and tin. Other metals, such as aluminum, manganese, or zinc, as well as non-metals like phosphorus or silicon, can be added to bronze to change its strength. Bronze was created and became popular during what is now referred to as the Bronze Age in Europe and India, dating to around 3,300 BCE and later in China around 2,000 BCE. The discovery of bronze enabled people to create metal objects, like tools, weapons, and armor, that were harder and more durable than stone or copper. The first cast bronze sculpture, using melted alloys and a mold, is thought to be that of the Assyrian King Sennacherib around 700 BCE. Bronze sculptures were regarded as the highest form of sculpture in Ancient Greece. Techniques using bronze have not significantly changed since ancient times.

Explore Bronze Sculptures in the collection

Painting of a stream with green grass, trees and bushes on either side.
Abstracted landscape painting with horizontal lines of colors in purple, yellow and tan with small green shrubs.
Page last modified May 20, 2026