Collection

Monumental Bust of Victor Hugo

Auguste Rodin

Brooklyn Museum photograph

Object Label

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.

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. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum)

Gallery

Not on view

Title

Monumental Bust of Victor Hugo

Date

1902; cast 1970

Geography

Place made: France

Medium

Bronze

Classification

Sculpture

Dimensions

28 1/2 x 23 3/8 x 21 1/2 in. (72.4 x 59.4 x 54.6 cm)

Signatures

Lower edge, proper left: "A. Rodin" Interior, back, lower edge, raised stamp: "A. Rodin"

Markings

Back, proper right shoulder: ".Georges Rudier./.Fondeur. Paris." Back, lower edge, proper left shoulder: "© by Musée Rodin. 1970."

Credit Line

Gift of the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Foundation

Accession Number

84.210.3

Frequent Art Questions

  • Was this cast accepted or rejected?

    This work was part of the accepted proposal for Rodin's sculpture as it was made in 1902, after his proposal had been accepted and he could work through it more!
    Thanks!

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Artists and makers

Auguste Rodin

75 works in the collection

Georges Rudier Fondeur, Paris

25 works in the collection