Auguste Rodin (French, 1840–1917). Monumental Bust of Victor Hugo, 1902; cast 1970. Bronze, 28 1/2 x 23 3/8 x 21 1/2 in. (72.4 x 59.4 x 54.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Foundation, 84.210.3. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 84.210.3_transp6249.jpg)
Auguste Rodin (French, 1840–1917). Monumental Bust of Victor Hugo, 1902; cast 1970. Bronze, 28 1/2 x 23 3/8 x 21 1/2 in. (72.4 x 59.4 x 54.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Foundation, 84.210.3. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 84.210.3_bw.jpg)
Monumental Bust of Victor Hugo
European Art
In 1889 the French government commissioned Rodin to produce a monument to the author Victor Hugo (1802–1885). The sculptor’s first proposal was rejected in 1890, but another was accepted a year later. Rodin worked on the project sporadically during the following decade, but diminishing interest on the part of both the sculptor and the government agencies overseeing the work meant it remained unfinished at his death in 1917. The ultimate monument was intended to be colossal, and this bust seems consistent with that scale.
CAST BY
Georges Rudier Fondeur, Paris
MEDIUM
Bronze
DATES
1902; cast 1970
DIMENSIONS
28 1/2 x 23 3/8 x 21 1/2 in. (72.4 x 59.4 x 54.6 cm) (show scale)
MARKINGS
Back, proper right shoulder: ".Georges Rudier./.Fondeur. Paris."
Back, lower edge, proper left shoulder: "© by Musée Rodin. 1970."
SIGNATURE
Lower edge, proper left: "A. Rodin"
Interior, back, lower edge, raised stamp: "A. Rodin"
COLLECTIONS
European Art
ACCESSION NUMBER
84.210.3
CREDIT LINE
Gift of the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Foundation
EXHIBITIONS
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is not on view
CAPTION
Auguste Rodin (French, 1840–1917). Monumental Bust of Victor Hugo, 1902; cast 1970. Bronze, 28 1/2 x 23 3/8 x 21 1/2 in. (72.4 x 59.4 x 54.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Foundation, 84.210.3. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 84.210.3_transp6249.jpg)
EDITION
Edition: 6/12
IMAGE
overall, 84.210.3_transp6249.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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