The Genius of the Sculptor

c. 1880–83

Auguste Rodin

(French, 1840–1917)

Culture

France, 19th century

Medium

pen and brown ink

Support

Lightweight, translucent beige wove paper discolored to yellow-brown

Measurements

Sheet: 26.3 x 18.9 cm (10 3/8 x 7 7/16 in.)

Credit Line

Bequest of Muriel Butkin 2008.404

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Location

Not on view

Did You Know?

In other similar depictions of the theme seen in this drawing, Auguste Rodin depicted Genius as a woman.

Description

Auguste Rodin repeatedly explored the theme of creative male genius in major works, such as the famous Thinker, a cast of which sits outside the Cleveland Museum of Art on the south terrace. In this drawing, Rodin depicted the artist in active thought with his hand on his head, accompanied by a wingless “genius” floating above him. He derived this symbol of inner creative energy from the traditional subject of the winged muse, examples of which also appear on Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel ceiling as companions to God the Father.