Man with the Broken Nose (L'Homme au nez cassé)
Sculpture, portrait bust • Auguste Rodin (French, 1840-1917); likely a posthumous cast from an authorized or later edition
Style & Movement
Realism bordering on Modernism; French 19th-century sculpture
Medium & Technique
Bronze with dark brown and black patina; lost-wax casting (cire perdue) showing expressive clay manipulation marks
Creation Period
Original model circa 1863-1864; this casting likely mid-20th century
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 12-15 cm in height (mask size); mounted on a marble plinth
Subject Description
A portrait bust of an elderly man, modeled after a local handyman named Bibi. The work is famous for its raw realism, featuring a crooked nose (broken in life) and deep, expressive wrinkles. It challenged 19th-century academic standards by findng beauty in deformity and age.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good to Very Good. The patina appears intact but shows minor surface dust and potential oxidation in crevices.
Estimated Market Value
$5,000 - $15,000 (depending on casting authority and edition size)
Auction Estimate
$4,000 - $8,000
Provenance History
Signature 'A. Rodin' visible on the lower right neck; lack of clear foundry mark from this angle suggests a later casting or private edition. Ownership history is unknown.
Art Historical Significance
This was the first work Rodin considered his major artistic breakthrough. Originally a full head, the back froze and broke off, leaving a mask shape that Rodin decided was artistically complete. It represents the shift from idealized Neoclassicism to psychological Realism.
Notable Features
Incised 'A. Rodin' signature; mounted on a red Levanto or Griotte marble base; distinctive 'broken' texture on the back of the head reflecting the work's historical origin as a frozen fragment.
Condition Issues
Visible surface residue or calcification (white spots) in the lower facial area; minor wear to the marble base edges; potential darkening of patina due to handling.
Conservation Recommendations
Gentle surface cleaning with a soft brush and distilled water; professional microcrystalline wax coating to prevent дальнейшее oxidation; keep in a climate-controlled environment away from high humidity.