Rodin “Torso” Miniature

(1882–1889)

“When a good sculptor sculpts the human body, he depicts not only the muscles, but also the life that activates those muscles.”

When creating a sculpture, Rodin started with the torso, the part of the body where he believes all movement originates. This impressive torso with very pronounced muscles was used for three figures in the famous Gate of Hell, of which ‘the falling man’ (‘l Homme qui tombe) is the most striking. The striking wedge-shaped bulge served to mount the statue. It is not known why Rodin left it alone when the torso was later exhibited as an independent work of art.

Height: 8cm