The Age of Bronze (L'Âge d'airain)
Sculpture, free-standing figure • Auguste Rodin (1840–1917)
Style & Movement
Modern Realism / Proto-Symbolism, breaking away from the stiff Academicism of the late 19th century.
Medium & Technique
Bronze; lost-wax casting (cire perdue) with a dark greenish-brown patina. Features high-realism modeling with subtle surface textures.
Creation Period
Original plaster modeled in 1876; this cast is likely a posthumous or early 20th-century edition.
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 180 x 70 x 60 cm (life-size); vertical portrait format.
Subject Description
A life-sized nude male figure in a state of awakening or emerging consciousness. The figure stands in a subtle contrapposto, one hand on his head and the other formerly holding a spear (in the original conception). It represents the transition from primeval man to civilization, emphasizing human vulnerability.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Excellent; well-maintained museum-grade condition with stable patina and no structural deformation.
Estimated Market Value
$1,000,000 – $5,000,000 (Highly dependent on the specific cast edition and date of foundry).
Auction Estimate
$1,500,000 – $4,000,000
Provenance History
Likely part of a major public or private foundation collection (e.g., Musée Rodin or similar institution); provenance involves legal casts approved by the artist's estate.
Art Historical Significance
This work is Rodin's first major masterpiece. It caused a 'scandale' at the 1877 Salon when critics accused Rodin of 'surmoulage' (casting from a living model) because of its extreme realism. Its successful defense established Rodin's reputation and marked the birth of modern sculpture.
Notable Features
Exquisite anatomical detail particularly in the musculature of the torso; the lack of a traditional heroic attribute (spear removed) emphasizes internal psychological state rather than narrative action.
Condition Issues
Minor surface oxidation consistent with bronze aging; slight abrasions on high-relief points from historical handling; no major losses.
Conservation Recommendations
Maintain stable humidity and temperature; periodic dusting with soft brushes; application of microcrystalline wax if displayed in high-traffic areas; avoid direct skin contact to prevent oil transfer.