Sergio Bustamante “Reef Fish” — Rare Limited Edition Bronze #5/100

A Surrealist Jewel of the Sea: Early Edition Patinated Bronze

This “Reef Fish” sculpture is a masterful example of Bustamante’s ability to find personality and magic in the natural world. At 6 inches, this is considered an “Atelier” or desk-sized bronze—designed for intimate viewing where the collector can appreciate the incredible nuance of the hand-applied patina and the surrealist expression that is the artist’s hallmark.

• Artist: Sergio Bustamante (Mexican, b. 1949)

• Title: Reef Fish (from the Aquatic Surrealism series)

• Medium: Hand-Patinated Cast Bronze

• Edition: Elite #5 of 100 (Hand-signed and numbered)

• Dimensions: 6″ H x 6″ L x 3″ W

• Condition: Excellent / Gallery Quality

Detailed Artistic Description

The Concept: Unlike traditional marine art, Bustamante’s Reef Fish carries a soulful, almost human-like intelligence in its eyes. This is the essence of “Magic Realism”—the fish is biologically recognizable as a tropical species, yet its stylized fins and “knowing” expression elevate it into the realm of fine art.

Technical Mastery: The sculpture is cast in heavy bronze using the lost-wax method. What sets this specific piece apart is the multi-chromatic patina. Bustamante is famous for using heat and chemicals to “bloom” colors directly into the metal. You will likely see deep obsidian blacks, burnished golds on the ridges of the scales, and perhaps a hint of verdigris or “Bustamante blue” near the fins, giving the fish an iridescent, underwater glow.

Collector’s Significance: While Bustamante’s larger works are iconic for public spaces, his small-scale bronzes are prized for their density and finish. Having #5 in an edition that was capped at only 100 worldwide makes this a “Blue Chip” acquisition. It represents the very beginning of the series, making it a “founder’s piece” for a serious collection.