The Thinker (Le Penseur)
model 1880, cast 1901
Medium
bronze
Dimensions
overall: 71.5 x 36.4 x 59.5 cm (28 1/8 x 14 5/16 x 23 7/16 in.)
Classification
Sculpture
Department
CSD
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Gift of Mrs. John W. Simpson
Accession Number
1942.5.12
Art Historical Context
Auguste Rodin's *The Thinker (Le Penseur)* captures the essence of profound contemplation in a compact yet monumental bronze form. Modeled in 1880 and cast in 1901, this sculpture measures 71.5 x 36.4 x 59.5 cm, inviting viewers to ponder alongside its brooding figure. As a master of late 19th-century sculpture,in revolutionized the medium by emphasizing raw emotion and dynamic anatomy over idealized classical forms, aligning with modernist impulses. Bronze, with its rich patina and durability, was ideal for Rodin's tactile surfaces—rough textures that evoke the thinker's inner turmoil and mu...
About the Artist
Auguste Rodin · 1840–1917
François Auguste René Rodin (1840-1917) stands as the founder of modern sculpture, transforming the art form from academic tradition into expressive modernism. Born into a working-class Parisian family, Rodin faced early rejection, failing three times to gain admission to the prestigious École des Beaux-Arts. This setback forced him to work as a craftsman for nearly two decades, though his 1875 tr...