Auguste Rodin (1840–1917) originally conceived of The Thinker as representing Dante in his larger work The Gates of Hell. Later designed as an independent sculpture, The Thinker symbolizes the internal struggle of the creative mind. The Detroit Institute of Arts displays one of the twenty bronzes cast from the 1902 original.
The statue is composed of a high-density stone with a catalyst, a centuries old European casting technique. Artisans apply the patina in a labor intensive process that requires several layers and specialized shading which are all done by hand. This resin statue with multiple bronze patinas is a highly collectible museum-quality sculptural reproduction.
In between Romanticism and Impressionism Rodin created some of the most famous pieces known in the art of sculpting. The self-willed Frenchman was very talented at conveying feeling in his compositions by emphasizing gesture. Also, his rough surface texture with deep hollows added strong shadows and naturalism to the human form. Rodin's goal, as he put it, was to render inner feelings through muscular movement. He achieved this aim by joining his profound knowledge of anatomy and movement with special attention to the body's surfaces, saying, The sculptor must learn to reproduce the surface, which means all that vibrates on the surface, soul, love, passion, life...Sculpture is thus the art of hollows and mounds, not of smoothness, or even polished planes.
Rodin's The Thinker is the iconic statue of deep thought, pondering, musing and seeking understanding. The perfect gift for thinkers, makers, artists, philosophers, teachers, writers, scientists, or anyone who values the power of thinking!
Material: Bonded Bronze
Measures: 14"H x 6"L x 10.5"D.
Weight: 19 lbs.
