Auguste Rodin (French, 1840–1917). Gustav Mahler, 1909; cast between 1910–1914. Bronze, 13 3/8 x 11 x 9 3/4 in. (34.0 x 27.9 x 24.8 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Ella C. Woodward Memorial Fund, 22.10. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 22.10_transp6243.jpg)
Auguste Rodin (French, 1840–1917). Gustav Mahler, 1909; cast between 1910–1914. Bronze, 13 3/8 x 11 x 9 3/4 in. (34.0 x 27.9 x 24.8 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Ella C. Woodward Memorial Fund, 22.10. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 22.10_glass_bw.jpg)
Gustav Mahler
European Art
Alma Mahler, wife of the Viennese composer Gustav Mahler (1860–1911), provided this account of Rodin’s working methods in her recollection of her husband’s sitting for this portrait in 1909:
His method was unlike that of any other sculptor I have had the opportunity of watching. He first made flat surfaces in the rough lump, and then added little pellets of clay which he rolled between his fingers while he talked. He worked by adding to the lump instead of subtracting from it. As soon as we left he smoothed it all down and next day added more. I scarcely ever saw him with a tool in his hand.
His method was unlike that of any other sculptor I have had the opportunity of watching. He first made flat surfaces in the rough lump, and then added little pellets of clay which he rolled between his fingers while he talked. He worked by adding to the lump instead of subtracting from it. As soon as we left he smoothed it all down and next day added more. I scarcely ever saw him with a tool in his hand.
CAST BY
Alexis Rudier Fondeur, Paris
MEDIUM
Bronze
DATES
1909; cast between 1910–1914
DIMENSIONS
13 3/8 x 11 x 9 3/4 in. (34.0 x 27.9 x 24.8 cm) (show scale)
MARKINGS
Back, on neck: ALEXIS RUDIER/FONDEUR.PARIS/2eme Epreuve
SIGNATURE
Proper left shoulder and on interior plate: "A. Rodin"
COLLECTIONS
European Art
ACCESSION NUMBER
22.10
CREDIT LINE
Ella C. Woodward Memorial Fund
EXHIBITIONS
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is not on view
CAPTION
Auguste Rodin (French, 1840–1917). Gustav Mahler, 1909; cast between 1910–1914. Bronze, 13 3/8 x 11 x 9 3/4 in. (34.0 x 27.9 x 24.8 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Ella C. Woodward Memorial Fund, 22.10. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 22.10_transp6243.jpg)
IMAGE
overall, 22.10_transp6243.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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