Auguste Rodin (French, 1840-1917). <em>Large Hand of a Pianist (Grande main de pianiste)</em>, n.d.; cast 1965. Bronze, 7 3/8 x 10 1/4 x 5 1/2 in. (18.7 x 26.0 x 14.0 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Foundation, 85.173.3. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 85.173.3_edited_bw_SL3.jpg)

Auguste Rodin (French, 1840-1917). Large Hand of a Pianist (Grande main de pianiste), n.d.; cast 1965. Bronze, 7 3/8 x 10 1/4 x 5 1/2 in. (18.7 x 26.0 x 14.0 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Foundation, 85.173.3. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 85.173.3_edited_bw_SL3.jpg)

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What is the meaning of the hands?

These hands are kind of like practice sculptures for larger works. Rodin was interested in expressing stories and emotion through the body. He would sculpt different body parts separately so that he could focus on one at a time. For example, the large hand on the left is based on the hand of a pianist. Also, Rodin took inspiration from ancient sculpture which is often found in fragments.

Large Hand of a Pianist (Grande main de pianiste)

European Art

ARTIST Auguste Rodin, French, 1840-1917

CAST BY Georges Rudier Fondeur, Paris

MEDIUM Bronze

Place Made: France

DATES n.d.; cast 1965

DIMENSIONS 7 3/8 x 10 1/4 x 5 1/2 in. (18.7 x 26.0 x 14.0 cm) (show scale)

MARKINGS Top edge of wrist at truncation: "Georges Rudier./.Fondeur. Paris." Underside of wrist: "© by Musée Rodin 1965."

SIGNATURE Wrist, proper left side: "A. Rodin"

COLLECTIONS European Art

ACCESSION NUMBER 85.173.3

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). Large Hand of a Pianist (Grande main de pianiste), n.d.; cast 1965. Bronze, 7 3/8 x 10 1/4 x 5 1/2 in. (18.7 x 26.0 x 14.0 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Foundation, 85.173.3. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 85.173.3_edited_bw_SL3.jpg)

EDITION Edition: 1/12

IMAGE overall, 85.173.3_edited_bw_SL3.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2014

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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY

You may download and use Brooklyn Museum images of this three-dimensional work in accordance with a Creative Commons license. Fair use, as understood under the United States Copyright Act, may also apply. Please include caption information from this page and credit the Brooklyn Museum. If you need a high resolution file, please fill out our online application form (charges apply). For further information about copyright, we recommend resources at the United States Library of Congress, Cornell University, Copyright and Cultural Institutions: Guidelines for U.S. Libraries, Archives, and Museums, and Copyright Watch. For more information about the Museum's rights project, including how rights types are assigned, please see our blog posts on copyright. If you have any information regarding this work and rights to it, please contact copyright@brooklynmuseum.org.

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Download our app and ask your own questions during your visit. Here are some that others have asked.

What is the meaning of the hands?