Auguste Rodin (French, 1840–1917). <em>Head of Sorrow (Tête de la Douleur)</em>, ca. 1882, enlarged ca. 1901–1902; cast before 1952. Bronze, 9 x 9 1/4 x 10 1/2 in. (22.9 x 23.5 x 26.7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Foundation, 86.87.3. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 86.87.3_bw.jpg)

Auguste Rodin (French, 1840–1917). Head of Sorrow (Tête de la Douleur), ca. 1882, enlarged ca. 1901–1902; cast before 1952. Bronze, 9 x 9 1/4 x 10 1/2 in. (22.9 x 23.5 x 26.7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Foundation, 86.87.3. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 86.87.3_bw.jpg)

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This is the Head of Sorrow, which appeared four times in Rodin's conception of The Gates of Hell, an ambitious commission that was never completed as the funding fell through.

Rodin reused and recycled various fragments and figures from the commission for individual pieces after the project fell through and the Head of Sorrow was one of the most often recycled body fragments.

Because the head is androgynous, Rodin could use it for both male and female figures. This method, derived from the industrial concept of interchangeability, also aligned with Rodin's conviction that art is transformable, always alive, and never finished.

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Head of Sorrow (Tête de la Douleur)

European Art

ARTIST Auguste Rodin, French, 1840–1917

CAST BY Alexis Rudier Fondeur, Paris

MEDIUM Bronze

Place Made: France

DATES ca. 1882, enlarged ca. 1901–1902; cast before 1952

DIMENSIONS 9 x 9 1/4 x 10 1/2 in. (22.9 x 23.5 x 26.7 cm) (show scale)

MARKINGS Lower back edge: ".ALEXIS.RUDIER./FONDEUR. PARIS."

SIGNATURE Proper left neck: "A. Rodin" Cachet on interior, same placement as exterior signature: "A. Rodin"

COLLECTIONS European Art

ACCESSION NUMBER 86.87.3

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). Head of Sorrow (Tête de la Douleur), ca. 1882, enlarged ca. 1901–1902; cast before 1952. Bronze, 9 x 9 1/4 x 10 1/2 in. (22.9 x 23.5 x 26.7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Foundation, 86.87.3. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 86.87.3_bw.jpg)

IMAGE overall, 86.87.3_bw.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph

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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY

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