Renaissance Brass Casting: Innsbruck´s Schwarze Mander

The project will identify the alloys and different manufacturing techniques used in the production of the 28 Schwarze Mander statues in the Innsbruck Hofkirche, which are among the most magnificent monumental metal statues of the Renaissance. We will learn about the technical skills of the artists and craftsmen involved and the different ways in which such a complex work could be carried out. We will also get to know the artists themselves through their rich exchanges with the Emperor Maximilian I and the local government. The reproduction of two statues using original materials and techniques will also give us a practical insight into casting techniques at the beginning of the Renaissance in Austria. The main objectives of the project are to 1) reconstruct the workshops involved in the production of the statues; 2) characterise the materials used in statue production; 3) relearn foundry processes from past traditions; 4) understand the role of the statues in historical legitimacy; and, finally, 5) identify coatings and artificial patination. These goals will be fulfilled by evaluating historical data and generate new analytical data for the statues by carrying out non-invasive chemical metal analyses, analyses of mould materials, identification of artificial patination and by providing complete, high-resolution photographic and 3D- documentation, which will also include casting simulations. This will enable us to reconstruct casting technologies of the early Renaissance both theoretically and practically. In this way, the project combines natural sciences and art history through a holistic, multidisciplinary research approach. The Schwarze Mander will be subjected to a full chemical characterisation, detailed description and evaluation of their manufacturing techniques from both a materials science and craftsmanship perspective. The information generated will have multiple applications in various fields of research, including art history, historical studies, archaeometry, conservation science and materials science. It will also serve as a basis for further studies on the development of different casting techniques during the Renaissance and beyond. The project team consists of internationally renowned experts: Dr. Mödlinger, an archaeologist and materials scientist, is an expert in metallurgy and ancient metalworking; Dr. Asmus, an archaeometallurgist and art founder, is specialised in historical casting technologies; Dr. Gener Moret is an archaeometallurgist and physicist specialised in historical metal technology, the study of technical processes and functionality; Mag. Fera is experienced in the application of image-based documentation methods in the field of material cultural heritage; Dr. Marinelli is an art historian and has been working for years on polychrome sculpture since the 15th century; and Dr. Thieme is a conservation scientist specialising in pigment specifications.