

Metal sculptures

Carré d'artistes presents a wide selection of metal sculptures. Metal sculptures have existed since antiquity but are above all representative of modern and contemporary sculpture.

History and techniques


Metal is a sculpting technique, just like wood, marble, plaster and resin. But there are various metals and they are not all treated in the same way, and they do not have the same historical or artistic "value". Gold, for example, is a very noble metal, little used in sculpture except for small objects of the royal era, for the aristocracy and for the church. Copper is a metal used during antiquity to produce decorative objects and some sculptures. But it is mostly bronze and industrial metals such as iron, steel, aluminium, tin, cement and concrete which are still used to create metal works today. The main advantage of using metal in sculpture is the malleability and robustness of the material. There are various processes and methods for making a metal sculpture – casting, waxing, lost wax, chisel, modelling, etc.


During antiquity, copper, gold and bronze was commonly used to make decorative objects. Later, metal sculpture became quite rare. We find mainly bronze sculptures during the Renaissance and the classical period and gold sculptures to represent royal or religious power. But the use of industrial metal as we understand it today, is recent: it is out of the development of industry and technology that metal sculptures have appeared. Sculptors have since then continued to use metals in their works.

The art of metal today

Metal and contemporary art

The modern era is renewing its vision of art and especially sculpture. Many artists are therefore partial to using relatively new metals or metals that have to date had little artistic value. The art of metal is developing rapidly and approached differently according to the artistic currents that take hold of it. The use of metal in sculpture is very common today and remains constantly evolving.

Famous metal sculptors

There are a large number of modern and contemporary sculptors who use metal. Of these, Richard Serra is frequently mentioned. His sculptures are often monumental but remain connected to the minimalist style, with very few elements integrated and nothing disturbing the view and the perspective. In addition, he is known for the high quality of the steel he uses. In another style, Giacometti is a sculptor who often uses metal: his elongated figures, recognisable anywhere, are made of bronze, cast iron and sometimes steel. The assemblies of Jean Tinguely are also made of metal. We can also make mention of Louise Bourgeois, who makes many of his works in metal, and Alexandre Calder, who often painted his steel sculptures. And let's not forget César, one of the greatest sculptors of the 20th century.

Discover contemporary metal sculptures by artists such as Frédéric Fortuné and Pablo Macias at Carré d'artistes.


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