Rodin’s Thinker & Gates of Hell: Analysis & History
The Thinker by Auguste Rodin
Location: Musée d’Orsay (cast), Rodin Museum (bronze doors)
Author: Auguste Rodin (1840-1917), French sculptor renowned for psychological modeling and texture. Considered the last great sculptor of the 19th century.
Background: Rodin’s fame surged after the 1875 Bronze Age scandal and the 1880 exhibition of Saint John the Baptist. In 1880, he began The Gates of Hell, commissioned for the Museum of Decorative Arts in Paris, inspired by Dante’s Divine Comedy. Though unfinished at his death, many components, including The Thinker, became standalone works.
Commission: Rodin received the commission for a door for the future Museum of Decorative Arts, intended to replace a site burned during the Paris Commune in 1871. The project faced delays and was ultimately realized in 1986, with a different purpose.
Technical Aspects
Typology: Predominantly high relief, including free-standing sculptures like The Thinker and Three Shades.
Technique: Rodin used plaster modeling and casting. Initially, he worked in plaster, challenging the traditional preference for marble. After his death, the work was completed in cast bronze.
Analysis of The Gates of Hell
Topic: Inspired by Dante, Ovid, and Baudelaire, the gates depict a pessimistic vision of life and happiness. Numerous small nude figures move within a rocky, cloudy background, representing humanity damned after the fall. Key figures include Paolo and Francesca, Ugolino and his sons, and Dante (The Thinker) at the center.
Symbolism: The Thinker is often interpreted as Rodin’s self-reflection, contemplating the world and technological advancements. The Three Shades symbolize death’s victory.
Style
Characteristics: Rodin broke with academic realism, exaggerating anatomical forms for expressiveness. Rough, unfinished surfaces create a sense of vibration and light, akin to Impressionism. The dramatic themes and interest in death and sin align with Symbolism.
Styling: The nudes are expressive with unfinished surfaces, emphasizing light and depth. Rodin prioritized emotional expression over anatomical accuracy, using the human body to convey psychology and feelings.
The Thinker, originally titled Dante Thinking, exists in over 20 copies worldwide in various sizes.