Sunday, August 26, 2007

Thinking of you


As I relax along the beach, I'm thinking of you and where you might be spending holidays this year. I almost feel like I'll be insulting your intelligence by explaining this statue, but for those of you who may not know, it is one of Auguste Rodin's most famous sculptures, called Le Penseur (the Thinker). Did you know that it was originally called Le Poète (the Poet)? And did you know you could find its replica in... Sarasota?! I could not believe this.

19 comments:

  1. Oh, la la... I 've heard so many jokes (all in bad taste) about The Thinker, I think I better sit this one out! ;)

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  2. Eric, why couldn't you believe it? I can't believe that you couldn't believe it. ;P

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  3. I thought it was The Thinker, but I never knew it once was called The Poet. He must be thinking of a poem to write!

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  4. Oh Eric, this brings me nice memories!

    I know when you took this picture. Can you believe how blue and perfect the sky was!!! One great day!

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  5. I too am surprised you were surprised! but really ...in Sarasota? I would be surprised...really.

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  6. Well, there are several castings of this sculpture. Replicas? There is one in San Francisco, in the courtyard of the Legion of Honor museum. I've seen numerous studies of the Burghers of Calais, and you posted the many sites where there are castings of it. Why not Sarasota, I guess. Rodin was quite prolific.

    In front of the Mpls. Institute of Arts is a signature piece by another artist (I can't remember who). I saw the original in Kiel, Germany many years ago. It's always a fun thing to see another version of a famous sculpture.

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  7. Hey! This is such a beautiful statue. Did you know it's supposed to represent Dante? It was meant to be the top piece of a huge gate or something.

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  8. I've always wondered what that "thing" is on his head. And why do Rodin's statues have such big ugly feet? I bet there is a reason. If you are French (especially Parisian) please check out my latest post. I need an answer to a mystery about Theatre de Chatelat. Johnny

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  9. very interesting...i didnt know it was originally named the Poet.

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  10. Yes Hedwig, "The gates of hell" in fact.

    Come on Tomate, what are the jokes?

    Monica, it was a beautiful day wasn't it?!

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  11. Yes Michael it was an amazing beautiful day! And it was very hot too what made the gardens of the museum even more appealing.

    Hope you're having a great vacation!

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  12. Je ne suis pas, mais je pense qu'il y a aussi Un Penseur au musee de Rodin en Philadelphie...

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  13. Yes, you're right, why not in Sarasota actually. Maybe I'm being too French! (As a matter of fact I also visited the Ringling Museum yesterday and I have been absolutely stunned by all the pieces of art you can find there.)

    Anyway, in the present case what surprised me the most was that this statue was in front of a shop called Rodin International and that, to me, Rodin cannot be associated with a company name.

    Again, that is a very French reaction as, in the end, art sells itself just like any goods!

    It's a typical cultural difference between France and the US.

    In France we are told that cultural goods are different and should not follow the usual laws of supply and demand or, at least, should be better regulated than non cultural goods.

    Thus being said, I'm on my way to another high value non-cultural activity: the beach! At least for now, the sun is still free!

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  14. Oooh, I didn't know The Thinker was supposed to top the gates of hell! Fascinating!

    Enjoy the beach Eric.

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  15. Call me a philistine if you want, but I've always thought there should have been a companion piece - "Rodin's nagging wife" I can just hear her now "Why don't you get some clothes on and get a proper job".

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  16. Oh Ham! Nagging wife? What is that?
    Eric, I love this statue and yes, it is famous, even we in the antipodes have heard of it.

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  17. Aww, sweet post! We're thinking of you too, Eric. Glad you enjoyed the Ringling Museum. :)

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  18. Eric, If you start visiting with certain DP bloggers, we'll all expect a visit! :)

    Hope you had/are having an excellent American vacation!

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