Sole Architrave 1989

Gio Pomodoro made this bronze relief, Sole Architrave, using the lost wax casting method. First, Pomodoro would have created a wax model, capturing the fragmented, almost explosive forms emerging from within the frame. This model is then encased in a plaster mold. The wax is melted out, hence 'lost wax', and molten bronze poured in. After cooling, the mold is broken away to reveal the rough casting. The next step is crucial: refining the surface through chasing and finishing. Notice how the artist has carefully articulated the texture, contrasting the smooth, geometric shapes with the rugged background. The word 'Sole', meaning 'Sun' in Italian, is crisply inscribed at the top, a final detail that elevates the work. Pomodoro masterfully combines industrial processes with the sensibility of a sculptor. The bronze, typically associated with monuments and mass production, is here used to create an object with an elemental feel, inviting reflection on themes of energy, transformation, and the power of light. The labor invested in each stage is evident, blurring the lines between craft and fine art.