Bronze

Stunning exhibition at the Royal Academy focusing on how bronze has been used over the centuries.

The exhibition almost peaked too early as the star of the show, the Dancing Satyr, was in the first room. A stunning life sized figure recently rescued from the sea of Sicily which moves gives an amazing sense of movement and life. However instead this gave a wonderful view of what bronze could do and lead you into the rest of the show with a real sense of anticipation.

I liked the way the exhibition was themed with items from different ages and countries together. It made you look at the material and the objects in their own right rather than placing them in art historic context.  For items I knew well such as the works from Florence you could add your own knowledge to put them in an artistic tradition and for new objects it gave you a sense of wanting to find out more.

The revelation for me was the Nigerian bronzes. I had not come across that tradition and the works were very beautiful and moving.

Reviews

Times
Guardian
Telegraph
Independent
Evening Standard