Bronze sculpture has evolved dramatically from classical antiquity to modernist movements, reflecting shifts in artistic philosophy, technique, and cultural context. Classical bronze sculptures, rooted in ancient Greek and Roman traditions, emphasize idealized human forms, anatomical precision, and mythological or heroic themes. These works prioritize harmony, proportion, and realism, often serving religious or political purposes.

In contrast, modernist bronze sculptures, emerging in the late 19th and 20th centuries, reject strict realism in favor of abstraction, fragmentation, and emotional expression. Artists like Giacometti and Brancusi distorted forms to convey deeper psychological or existential themes, experimenting with texture, negative space, and unconventional poses. Modernist works often prioritize the artist’s subjective vision over representational accuracy.

Technically, classical sculptors relied on lost-wax casting to achieve lifelike detail, while modernists incorporated industrial methods and mixed media, challenging traditional craftsmanship. The shift from communal narratives to individual expression marks the defining divide between these two eras in bronze sculpture.