Auguste Rodin Monument to Balzac 1891-98

This statue which portrays the 19th century French literary master Balzac, was created by Auguste Rodin. Rodin expressed human existence and its intense passion in active bodies with movement, and was a true pioneer in paving the way for modern sculpture. Balzac was an author who relentlessly detailed in writing the anguish of human beings living in a hypocritical society. After being commissioned to create this statue, Rodin, based on a portrait photograph of Balzac, went through numerous trials and errors in his attempt to express Balzac’s spirit. He eventually settled upon the image of Balzac clad in a gown and walking around in his library at night, thinking about plot ideas for a novel. Take a look from the side as well. The enormous body is bent backwards, and it is readily apparent that the deeply sunken eyes are staring off into distant space. Gratuitous details were masked by draping him in a gown, and viewers are impressed with his internal anguish and resilient vitality. This innovative work was not particularly well understood in his age. This piece has been mocked by being compared to a snowman and so on, and the writers’ association that ordered the statue refused to accept it. This statue was publicly displayed in Paris 22 years after Rodin’s death.