The Thinker

This iconic sculpture is Rodin's most famous work. Originally it was conceived as a portrait of the poet Dante (1265-1321) for a bronze door representing the Gates of Hell in the Decorative Arts Museum, Paris. Over time, it evolved into a more generic image representing all poets or creators. Rodin emphasized the figure's powerful physical presence: "What makes my thinker think is that he thinks not only with his brain, with his knitted brow, his distended and compressed lips, but with every muscle of his arms, back and legs, with his clenched fist and gripping toes." This is one of several full-size bronze casts of The Thinker.

Lent by the Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners, Gift of Grant I. and Mathilde Rosenzweig