Collection

Andromeda (Andromède)

Auguste Rodin

1 of 2

Object Label

According to Greek mythology, Andromeda’s mother boasted that her daughter was more beautiful than the attendants of the sea god Poseidon. Enraged, Poseidon had Andromeda chained to a rock, where Perseus, the son of Zeus, saved her before a sea monster could devour her.

This bent, twisted figure appears to convey the fable’s moment of greatest psychological torment, but in fact the sculpture was unnamed when it was first exhibited. This has led some scholars to believe it simply represents a position taken by a model at rest in the studio that inspired Rodin, who only later gave it that title.

Andromeda has not been located anywhere in The Gates of Hell, but her dejected appearance would have been highly appropriate there.

Caption

Auguste Rodin (French, 1840–1917). Andromeda (Andromède), 1887; cast 1979. Bronze, 10 1/2 × 12 3/4 × 8 in., 20.5 lb. (26.7 × 32.4 × 20.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Iris and B. Gerald Cantor, 84.77.1. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum)

Gallery

Not on view

Title

Andromeda (Andromède)

Date

1887; cast 1979

Geography

Place made: France

Medium

Bronze

Classification

Sculpture

Dimensions

10 1/2 × 12 3/4 × 8 in., 20.5 lb. (26.7 × 32.4 × 20.3 cm)

Signatures

Base, side with face: "A. Rodin" Interior of rocky base, applied as raised stamp: "A. Rodin"

Inscriptions

Base, side with face: "No 10"

Markings

Lower edge of rocky base, side without face: ".Georges Rudier./.Fondeur. Paris." Lower edge of side with buttocks: " © by Musée Rodin 1979."

Credit Line

Gift of Iris and B. Gerald Cantor

Accession Number

84.77.1

Frequent Art Questions

  • Tell me more.

    A marble version of this sculpture, Andromeda, was exhibited at the 1893 World Columbian Exposition in Chicago! The marble sculpture was removed from the exhibit hall within a week, as it was deemed too risqué by the organizing committee.
    Andromeda is a figure from Greek mythology who was chained to a rock by Poseidon, and then rescued by Perseus so she wouldn't be eaten by a sea monster.

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Artists and makers

Auguste Rodin

75 works in the collection

Georges Rudier Fondeur, Paris

25 works in the collection