The Cathedral (Le Cathédrale)
Sculpture, free-standing, originally carved in stone • Auguste Rodin
Style & Movement
Modern Impressionist Sculpture / Symbolism
Medium & Technique
Carved stone (sandstone in original); bronze and plaster versions also exist. The technique involves a rough-hewn surface texture to retain the tool marks and create an organic, architectural play of light.
Creation Period
1908
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 64 x 29.5 x 31.8 cm (25.2 x 11.6 x 12.5 in). Vertical orientation.
Subject Description
The sculpture depicts two right hands from different figures, gently curving toward one another without touching. The space between the hands is intended to evoke the soaring arches and spiritual void/presence of a Gothic cathedral's interior.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good (based on the provided photograph of the stone version located at the Musée Rodin).
Estimated Market Value
$500,000 - $1,500,000 (for authorized posthumous bronze casts); the original stone carving is priceless and held by the French state.
Auction Estimate
$400,000 - $800,000 (standard range for museum-grade authorized medium-sized Rodin casts).
Provenance History
Commissioned and owned originally by the artist; later became part of the French National collection at the Musée Rodin in Paris. Numerous authorized bronze casts exist in international museum collections.
Art Historical Significance
A seminal work in modern sculpture, it represents Rodin's transition toward symbolism and his fascination with fragments and hands as expressive vessels. It highlights his obsession with Gothic architecture, which he viewed as the ultimate expression of the French spirit.
Notable Features
The most striking feature is that both hands are right hands, which creates a symmetrical and impossible anatomical arrangement that prioritizes emotional and architectural symbolism over realism.
Condition Issues
Potential surface erosion if stone; oxidation or 'bronze disease' if metal. In the photograph, the sandstone shows mild atmospheric staining and texture smoothing consistent with age and outdoor/semi-outdoor display.
Conservation Recommendations
Maintain stable humidity and temperature. For stone, professional surface cleaning to remove biological growth if necessary. For bronze, periodic waxing/patina stabilization by a qualified conservator.