Large Hand of a Pianist (Grande main de pianiste)
Brooklyn Museum photograph
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. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum)
Gallery
Not on view
Gallery
Not on view
Artist
Title
Large Hand of a Pianist (Grande main de pianiste)
Date
n.d.; cast 1965
Geography
Place made: France
Medium
Bronze
Classification
Dimensions
7 3/8 x 10 1/4 x 5 1/2 in. (18.7 x 26.0 x 14.0 cm)
Signatures
Wrist, proper left side: "A. Rodin"
Markings
Top edge of wrist at truncation: "Georges Rudier./.Fondeur. Paris." Underside of wrist: "© by Musée Rodin 1965."
Credit Line
Gift of the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Foundation
Accession Number
85.173.3
Frequent Art Questions
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.
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