The Thinker
- Date of Creation:
- Height (cm):
- Length (cm):
- Width (cm):
- Medium:
- Metal
- Subject:
- Figure
- Art Movement:
Impressionism
- Created By:
Auguste Rodin
- Current Location:
Paris, France
- Displayed at:
Musée Rodin
- Owner:
Musée Rodin
The Thinker was originally part of the compositional piece Rodin created as an entranceway for the proposed Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris. This piece, known as The Gates of Hell, is based on the 16th century epic poem, The Divine Comedy by Dante.
Many of Rodin's most famous works came out of this piece and The Thinker was originally intended to sit at the top of the door way and represent Dante, as he composed the poem. For this reason The Thinker was originally known as The Poet but as this piece began to gain precedence over The Gates of Hell, it became known as The Thinker and is today a commonly recognized symbol of philosophy and learning.
During its use as a public monument in Paris from onwards, The Thinker became known as a symbol of the socialist movement in France during a time of political and social turmoil.
There are several inspirations which influenced Rodin's creation of The Thinker.
The Thinker was originally conceived not in heroic isolation, but as part of Rodin's monumental Gates of Hell—a pair of bronze doors intended for a museum of decorative arts in Paris. Although the doors were never cast during the sculptor's lifetime, they nevertheless provided Rodin a rich source of ideas for individual figures and groups that he worked and reworked for the rest of his career.
The theme for Gates of Hell was taken from Dante's Inferno, and this figure, planned for the lintel on top, was initially conceived as the poet himself. His nudity, though, marked him as a universal embodiment of every poet—every creator—who draws new life from the imagination. In the late s Rodin began to exhibit the figure, sometimes with the title Poet, other times as Poet/Thinker. By , however, it had become simply The Thinker, a still more universal image that reveals in physical terms the mental effort and even anguish of creativity. As Rodin himself described: "What makes my Thinker think is that he thinks not only with his brain, with his knitted brow, his distended nostrils and compressed lips, but with every muscle of his arms, back, and legs, with his clenche
The Thinker by Auguste Rodin: A Symbol of Intellectual and Artistic Mastery
Introduction
Auguste Rodin, a pioneer of modern sculpture, revolutionized the art world with his innovative techniques and expressive forms. Among his many celebrated works, “The Thinker” stands out as a symbol of intellectual contemplation and artistic brilliance. Originally conceived as part of a larger composition, this iconic sculpture has captured the imagination of audiences worldwide, representing deep thought and human introspection.
“The Thinker” has been cast multiple times, with the original residing in the Musée Rodin in Paris. Each cast of this masterpiece, whether displayed in public squares or museums, resonates with viewers, inviting them to ponder its profound significance. The sculpture’s powerful presence and meticulous craftsmanship highlight Rodin’s genius and his ability to convey complex emotions through form.
In this article, we will delve into the historical background of “The Thinker,” explore its artistic elements, interpret its symbolism, and discuss its impact and legacy. Through this exploration, we aim to understand why “The Thinker” remains a timeless icon in the
The Thinker
Cast made by Fonderie Alexis Rudier in Transfered to the musée Rodin in
Whenconceived in in its original size (approx. 70 cm) as the crowning element of The Gates of Hell, seated on the tympanum, The Thinker was entitled The Poet. He represented Dante, author of the Divine Comedy which had inspired The Gates, leaning forward to observe the circles of Hell, while meditating on his work. The Thinker was therefore initially both a being with a tortured body, almost a damned soul, and a free-thinking man, determined to transcend his suffering through poetry. The pose of this figure owes much to Carpeaux’s Ugolino () and to the seated portrait of Lorenzo de’ Medici carved by Michelangelo ().
While remaining in place on the monumental Gates of Hell, The Thinker was exhibited individually in and thus became an independent work. Enlarged in , its colossal version proved even more popular: this image of a man lost in thought, but whose powerful body suggests a great capacity for action, has become one of the most celebrated sculptures ever known. Numerous casts exist worldwide, including the one now in the gardens of the Musée Rodin, a gift to the Cit
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