Olszewski Art Technical and Creative Processes

History

Dick Hunt, author and publisher of The Goebel Miniatures of Robert Olszewski did an exceptional rendering of the process primarily used during the the Pre-Goebel and Goebel Miniatures eras as "Bronze Cire Perdue Polychromes" or the Lost Wax Process.  Excerpts from Hunt's book is in italics. 

Archaeological evidence suggest that the lost wax process of creating art forms using metals that can be melted (i.e., gold, silver, bronze, copper, etc.) was is use as early as 2000 B.C. in the Middle East.  Finely detailed gold and copper figurines that have survived from that period have become prized museum pieces.

We do not know when the first artist attempted to add color to a metal casting.  Was it the early Egyptians, a culture in India, the Romans, or a Chinese dynasty?  We do know that most Roman statuary was painted, and according to historian Chuck Harley, that is where the word "sincere" was derived.  In Latin, "sine" means without and "cire" means wax.  When a Roman statue was offered for sale, the buyer wanted to be sure that no chips or blemishes had been filled in with wax, buffed smooth, and painted over to hide the fault.  Thus, the buyer would ask if the work of art was "sincere" (without wax).

Whoever did develop the decorating process gave us a rich tradition that has flourished throughout the centuries to provide us with some of the finest art in the world.

The Lost Wax Process produces very precise, detailed castings, but until this century the original pattern or mold was consumed for each piece created.  Reproductions were impossible.  This obstacle was overcome with the discovery of re-usable latex models.

The Wax Art Becomes "Lost" Well - Almost!

The creation of a sculpture

More coming...

In the Olszewski Decorating Studio

Olszewski Studios - Where it all started and the story behind the earlier production.  Camarillo, California

Goebel Miniatures Studio - Camarillo, California

Olszewski Studios