How are metal sculptures made by casting, welding, and hammering?

Metal sculptures are created through distinct techniques that have evolved over millennia.

Casting

The most prominent method is the lost-wax process, used since the 3rd millennium BCE. In this technique, a wax model is created and encased in a heat-resistant mold. The mold is heated, causing the wax to melt and drain away, leaving a cavity. Molten metal is then poured into this space. Once cooled, the mold is removed to reveal the cast sculpture.12

Welding

Direct metal sculpture was revolutionized in the 20th century by welding. This process involves joining pieces of metal—typically mild steel—by melting and fusing their surfaces, often using a filler material. Unlike casting, which relies on molds, welding allows for the construction of open, linear, or complex skeletal forms by assembling pre-shaped metal components.3

Hammering

Hammering, or forging, involves shaping metal through direct physical force. Historically, artists hammered plates into shape and joined them with rivets. A specific decorative technique, repoussé, involves hammering metal from the reverse side into a yielding surface (like asphalt) to create relief ornaments.24