The Thinker

Error creating thumbnail:

Musée_Rodin_1

Le_penseur_de_la_Porte_de_lEnfer_(musée_Rodin)_(4528252054)

Jean_Baud_Boxer_s

2014_Columbia_University_The_Thinker

File:Scan the World - The Thinker (Auguste Rodin).stl

Edvard_Munch,_Le_Penseur_de_Rodin_dans_le_parc_du_Docteur_Linde_à_Lübeck,_1907_

The_Modern_Thinker

The Thinker is a bronze sculpture by the French artist Auguste Rodin. It depicts a man in sober meditation battling with a powerful internal struggle. The piece is often used as an image to represent philosophy.

History

The Thinker was originally conceived in 1880 as part of a larger commission, The Gates of Hell, inspired by Dante Alighieri's Divine Comedy. The figure was intended to represent Dante himself at the top of the gates, pondering the scenes below. However, the sculpture was later enlarged and became an independent work.

Description

The sculpture portrays a nude male figure of over life-size sitting on a rock with his chin resting on one hand as though deep in thought. The pose is one of deep contemplation and introspection. The Thinker is often seen as a symbol of philosophy and intellectual activity.

Significance

The Thinker has become one of the most recognized works in the history of sculpture. It has been cast in multiple versions and is displayed in various museums around the world, including the Musée Rodin in Paris, the Rodin Museum in Philadelphia, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

Related Works

The Thinker is part of a larger body of work by Rodin that includes other famous sculptures such as The Kiss, The Burghers of Calais, and The Age of Bronze. These works collectively showcase Rodin's innovative approach to sculpture, characterized by a high degree of realism and emotional depth.

Legacy

The Thinker has influenced numerous artists and has been referenced in various forms of popular culture, including literature, film, and music. It remains a powerful symbol of human thought and creativity.

Related Pages

• Auguste Rodin
• The Gates of Hell
• Dante Alighieri
• Divine Comedy
• Musée Rodin
• Rodin Museum
• The Kiss (Rodin)
• The Burghers of Calais
• The Age of Bronze