Black Patinas in Bronze Sculpture
Updated: Sep 9
The first request for a completely black patina came to us through the sculptor Rui Chafes. Until then, as in much of the art foundry world, we worked primarily with the classical patina: a black base enriched with varying degrees of verdigris, adjusted to suit each client’s taste and aesthetic intentions.
The requirement for an absolutely black patina represented a genuine technical and conceptual challenge. Contrary to what one might expect, achieving a deep, uniform black across the entire surface of a bronze sculpture is not a simple process. Any variation in temperature, application, or chemical reaction tends to reveal subtle tones, reflections, or unexpected differences.
At Mão de Fogo, all patinas are developed exclusively through the direct chemical reaction between the compounds and the bronze surface. We do not use pre-manufactured patinas, nor do we rely on paints or coatings to “cover” the piece.
The colour is always the result of a carefully controlled chemical process that becomes an integral part of the material itself.
The development of our black patinas required research, time, and a deep understanding of the behaviour of bronze.
The result is a dense, silent, and rigorous surface, where light is absorbed and form asserts itself with remarkable intensity, perfectly aligned with Rui Chafes’ sculptural language.
Over more than 25 years of activity, we have developed our own collection of patinas, which can be explored on the Services page of our website. On the Projects page, visitors can also discover the work Rui Chafes has created with us, particularly the series L’INNOMMABLE FEUILLE DE…, in which the black patina plays a central role in the reading and perception of the work.
