In the foundry, The General patiently awaits his completion.

The General is coming home. He’s just taking a bit longer than expected.

In the meantime, some new photos should excite a Brock community that has been eagerly awaiting the arrival of a bronze sculpture of University namesake Major-Gen. Sir Isaac Brock.

When it does arrive, the artwork — a gift from longtime Brock supporter and former board chair David Howes — will be placed on a plinth in front of Schmon Tower, where it will instantly become the University’s signature icon.

Artist Danek Mozdzenski demonstrates the pose he gave to The General.

The piece by renowned Canadian sculptor Danek Mozdzenski is in its final stages of production. Sometime in the new year, University officials will be informed of a firm completion date.

Intricate detailed casting work has been taking longer than anticipated because of the sculpture’s complex design. But new photos from the Oregon foundry where the sculpture is being completed give glimpses of the statue’s impactful beauty and impressive size.

More than 100 component parts of Mozdzenski’s design have been cast in bronze and must be fitted together. All bronze sculptures are assemblies of smaller components, closely overseen by the artist. Once the intact piece is approved by the artist, a surface patina and lacquer finish will be applied.

“Mozdzenski wants to get this right,” said an official who has been working on the project. “Regardless of reputation and experience, for an artist of this calibre, every sculpture is different from the last one. This can create new sets of challenges in bringing the bronze to life.

“There is no formulaic production method. He has done large sculptures, he has done famous ones, and they’re all different. The Brock design is one-of-a-kind and very unique, and during the casting he’s got to work through all the challenges, big and small.”

The base of the sculpture awaits its resident. To the right is Brock's boot, on the floor is his hat.