Titans, Support for a Vase

c. 1877

figures modeled by

Auguste Rodin

(French, 1840–1917)

probably by Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse

(French, 1824–1887)

Culture

France, made at Choisy le Roi, 19th century

Medium

glazed earthenware

Measurements

Overall: 37.5 x 38.1 x 38.1 cm (14 3/4 x 15 x 15 in.)

Credit Line

Leonard C. Hanna Jr. Fund 1995.71

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Location

Not on view

Description

During his lifetime and afterward, Auguste Rodin was viewed as the modern equivalent to Michelangelo. Rodin worked against the prevailing styles of his time and may have seen parallels between his own struggles and Michelangelo’s reputation in the 1800s as a suffering genius. In 1875 Rodin went to Italy to study Renaissance art, specifically works by Michelangelo. The twisting titans (giants) on this pedestal base are directly inspired by Michelangelo’s ignudi (male nudes) on the Sistine Chapel ceiling. Rodin did not directly copy the poses but translated the energy and movement of the nudes into new, three-dimensional forms.