Gérôme executing the Gladiators 

This bronze sculpture, Gérôme executing the Gladiators, was made by Jean-Léon Gérôme, though the exact date is unknown. Bronze, an alloy of copper and tin, is strong and corrosion-resistant. The lost-wax casting method likely used here is an ancient process. The artist first creates a model, then makes a wax version, which is then coated in a ceramic shell. When heated, the wax melts away. Molten bronze is poured into the resulting cavity. Once cooled, the ceramic shell is broken, revealing the bronze casting. Finally, the surface is finished with chisels and abrasives, and a chemical patina applied. This sculpture depicts the artist in the act of creating a gladiatorial scene. This reflexive approach highlights the artist’s control over the narrative. The bronze material itself contributes to the sense of drama and power. While Gérôme was renowned as a painter, this sculpture reminds us that artists can be understood through the material language of sculpture as well.