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Head of Balzac

Founder Cast by Georges Rudier French
modeled ca. 1892–93, cast 1980
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 800
Rodin made more than fifty studies for the Balzac monument, and the majority are heads. This one represents the artist’s transition from more naturalistic portraits toward the abstracted mask that adorns the final study for the Monument to Balzac. Here, Balzac’s agitated brow, pug nose, and deeply gouged eyes evoke the author’s melancholic insights into the human psyche. Perhaps Rodin identified with Balzac. Both were driven souls, avid art collectors, voracious lovers, and prolific artists.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Head of Balzac
  • Artist: Auguste Rodin (French, Paris 1840–1917 Meudon)
  • Founder: Cast by Georges Rudier (French)
  • Date: modeled ca. 1892–93, cast 1980
  • Culture: French
  • Medium: Bronze, black marble base
  • Dimensions: with base: 17 1/2 × 12 1/4 × 9 1/4 in., 26 lb. (44.5 × 31.1 × 23.5 cm, 11.8 kg)
    without base, wt. confirmed: 12 in., 20 lb. (30.5 cm, 9.1 kg)
  • Classification: Sculpture-Bronze
  • Credit Line: Gift from B. Gerald Cantor Collection, 1985
  • Object Number: 1985.111
  • Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

More Artwork

More Artwork
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Final Study for the Monument to Balzac, Auguste Rodin French, Bronze, French
Final Study for the Monument to Balzac
Auguste Rodin
Georges Rudier
modeled 1897, cast 1972
Young woman, Auguste Rodin French, Cast plaster, French
Young woman
Auguste Rodin
modeled probably before 1889, cast before 1912
Study of a hand, Auguste Rodin French, Cast plaster, French
Study of a hand
Auguste Rodin
last quarter 19th–early 20th century
Study of a hand, Auguste Rodin French, Cast plaster, French
Study of a hand
Auguste Rodin
20th century
Bust of Bellona, Auguste Rodin French, Drypoint, third state of three, before bevelled plate
Bust of Bellona
Auguste Rodin
1882–85

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