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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

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Final Study for the Monument to Balzac, Auguste Rodin French, Bronze, French
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Saint Peter's Seen From the Pincio, Rome, Henri-Joseph Harpignies French, Pen and black ink, brush, gray and blue-gray washes
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