| Man with the Broken Nose | |
|---|---|
| French:Masque de l'homme au nez casse | |
.jpg) Man with the Broken Nose | |
| Artist | Auguste Rodin |
| Year | 1863 (1863) |
| Type | Sculpture |
| Medium | Bronze |
| Dimensions | 31.2 cm × 19 cm × 16.3 cm (7.9 in × 4.8 in × 4.1 in) |
| Location | numerous |
Man with the Broken Nose is a sculpture byAuguste Rodin created between 1863 and 1864 and approved by theSalon of 1875. It is considered the first by Rodin in which life is represented over the grace pervading the academic circles and aesthetic of the time.[1]
Rodin made a first model of this piece onplaster in 1864, but lost the back of the bust. Later, in 1880, a second model, this time in bronze, was cast and is the surviving cast of the piece. A marble copy was made by Léon Fourquet.[2]
In 1867, Rodin adapted a stable to become hisatelier, where he worked with a senior model by the name of "Bibi" to make his first model of the mask.[3] According toRainer Maria Rilke the man before Rodin was "a man with a calm demeanor and face. It had the face of a man which, when explored, was full of disorder".
The sculpture was cast onbronze with black, brown and greenpatina. It has a 12.5 x 15.1 x 15.3 cm (3.1 x 3.8 x 3.8 in) base, where Rodin's signature can be found.[4]
Even though there is a clear influence by other works at theLouvre, this mask represents the fidelity on contours that is characteristic of Rodin, made clear in the profound wrinkles and severe facial expression. This work was crucial in Rodin's unique aesthetical development.
According to the artist himself: "That mask determined all my future work; it's the first modeled piece I did. Ever since, I've tried to see my works from all possible points of view and to draw them in every one of their aspects. That mask has been on my mind in every thing I have done".[5] His later portraits have a singular life and individuality, partly because Rodin stayed on his contour modeling principles.
The mask was originally titledPortrait of M. *** and was generally rejected because it presented a man with a broken nose and strong, sharp facial features; which was considered ugly to the eyes of most people.[6]
Media related toThe Man with the Broken Nose (Auguste Rodin) at Wikimedia Commons