Final answer:
The statement about the advantages of bronze for sculpture is true. Bronze permitted a variety of poses and was resilient, but few original Greek bronzes survive due to being melted down for other purposes, with many known through Roman marble copies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The claim that bronze is a dramatic material for sculpture, allowing for a variety of poses, and that it is strong, durable, and develops a rich patina is true. The Greeks preferred bronze for their free-standing sculptures due to its strength and versatility. However, many original Greek bronzes no longer exist, as they were often melted down for other uses such as weapons or recast into new sculptures. It is through Roman marble copies that we infer the Greeks' original artistic achievements in bronze. Lost-wax casting, a metal casting process dating back to 4000 BCE, was frequently used in creating these intricate sculptures, with bronze being a popular choice due to its composition of 10% tin and 90% copper. Despite their historical value, Etruscan and Greek bronzes were often repurposed, with only a few surviving, largely recovered from shipwrecks.