The Thinker
Auguste Rodin (French, 1840-1917)
Date:
1880-1881
Medium:
bronze, green patina
Collection:
Dimensions:
Overall - h:182.90 w:98.40 d:142.20 cm (h:72 w:38 11/16 d:55 15/16 inches) Wt: 1,650 pounds - weighed by crane on 5/31/2006
Credit Line:
Gift of Ralph King
Accession Number:
1917.42
Gallery ID:
South Steps
The Thinker was first developed as part of Rodin's The Gates of Hell, a sculptured doorway for a proposed museum of decorative arts in Paris. Intended to be part of a relief directly above the doors, the rugged figure was originally conceived as a generalized image of the Italian poet Dante (1265-1321) who, in his mind's eye, sees all that goes on around him. Once Rodin separated him from The Gates, however, he became The Poet-Thinker, and finally just The Thinker.
Inscription:
signed on base near sinister foot: "A. Rodin."