Rodin’s Materials and Lost‑Wax Casting

      Rodin’s studio moved among **plaster**, **bronze**, **marble**—each chosen for **gesture** and **light**.

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      ### Lost‑Wax in Four Moves

      1. Model in **wax** around a core.  
      2. Encase in **investment** (ceramic).  
      3. Heat to melt wax; **pour bronze**.  
      4. **Chase seams**; **patinate** for color.

      | Medium | Why Rodin used it |
      |---|---|
      | Plaster | Iteration & assembly |
      | Bronze | Durability & detail |
      | Marble | Flesh & light |

      > Plaster is **truth**; bronze is **memory**; marble is **dream**.

      Simple mass for thin shell of thickness (t):

      $$m approx 

ho_{ ext{bronze}},(A,t)$$

      Where (A) is surface area—thickness trades **weight** for **stability**.

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      ### Context & Background

      - Foundries collaborate on **chasing** and **patina**; stamps record **history**.  
      - Plaster enables **assemblage** and **scale shifts**.  
      - Marble selection balances **veining** with **structural logic**.

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      ### Deeper Dive: Material as Meaning

      Bronze **remembers** tools; marble **glows** under polish; plaster **speaks** process. Rodin composes **material sentences**—each choice shifts **tone** and **time**.

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      ### Quick Facts

      | Item | Detail |
      |---|---|
      | Bronze Density | ~8.7 g/cm³ |
      | Shell Thickness | Often 4–7 mm |
      | Patina Types | Brown, green, black |
      | Marble Finish | Gloss, satin, tooth |

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      ### FAQs

      - **Do patinas change?** Conservators stabilize with **wax**; color can **shift** gently.  
      - **Is thicker bronze better?** Thickness balances **weight** vs **rigidity**—context matters.  
      - **Why plaster on display?** It’s **process truth** and **study archive**.

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      ### Pro Tips

      - Look for **seam lines**—they map **casting paths**.  
      - Note **patina gradients** in sunlight.  
      - Compare **plaster anatomy** to final bronzes.