The Thinker 1875 - 1915

Auguste Rodin crafted this bronze sculpture, The Thinker, inviting us into a space of contemplation. Made in the late 19th and early 20th century, a time of immense social and political change, the sculpture embodies the spirit of introspection. Originally conceived as part of a larger commission, The Gates of Hell, this figure was meant to represent Dante, the poet and author of the Divine Comedy. Rodin’s shift from a specific depiction of Dante to a universal figure of ‘the thinker’ speaks volumes. He embodies the solitary intellectual, grappling with profound questions and inner turmoil. The figure’s nude form challenges traditional representations of heroism and power. In his own words, Rodin saw him as someone who "thinks with every muscle in his body". The Thinker invites viewers to consider the complexities of human existence, the weight of history, and the potential for intellectual and social transformation. Rodin’s sculpture remains a powerful symbol of the human capacity for reflection, inviting us to confront our own place in the world and our responsibility to engage with the pressing issues of our time.