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The Thinker

1880–81
(French, 1840–1917)
France, 19th century
bronze
Overall: 182.9 x 98.4 x 142.2 cm (72 x 38 3/4 x 56 in.)
Weight: 1,650 pounds - weighed by crane on 5/31/2006
Gift of Ralph King 1917.42
Location: SE South Entrance
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This enlarged version of The Thinker is one of less than 10 cast during Rodin's lifetime.

Description

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 Alighieri (1265–1321), who wrote the Divine Comedy.
The Thinker

The Thinker

1880–81

Auguste Rodin

(French, 1840–1917)
France, 19th century

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