The Age of Bronze
The Age of Bronze
After Auguste Rodin (1840–1917)
Renaissance Bronze Company, New York
Nelson A. Rockefeller Collection
Number 36 of 150
1979
41 inches tall
A museum-quality bronze after Auguste Rodin's celebrated Age of Bronze, produced in 1979 by the renowned Renaissance Bronze Company of New York as part of the distinguished Nelson A. Rockefeller Collection. Numbered 36 from an edition of only 150 examples, this exceptional cast retains its original richly nuanced black-brown-green patina, a sophisticated surface that beautifully accentuates the extraordinary modeling and anatomical vitality of the figure.
Few sculptures occupy such an important place in the history of art. Created in 1877, The Age of Bronze was Rodin's first major masterpiece and the work that announced the arrival of a revolutionary new sculptor. The figure's astonishing naturalism was so convincing that Rodin was accused of casting directly from a living model rather than sculpting the work by hand. Although the accusation was ultimately disproven, the controversy generated widespread attention and propelled Rodin to international fame. Today, the sculpture is recognized as one of the defining achievements of nineteenth-century sculpture and a landmark in the development of modern art.
The present example captures the remarkable sensitivity and power of Rodin's original conception. Every surface reveals the artist's profound understanding of the human form—from the subtle tension of the torso and limbs to the introspective expression and elegant contrapposto stance. As light moves across the sculpture, the finely modeled musculature creates a dynamic interplay of shadow and highlight, bringing the figure vividly to life.
Produced to the highest standards under the auspices of Nelson Rockefeller, these bronzes were celebrated for their exceptional quality. Rockefeller himself was so proud of the project that each sculpture bears his initials, "NR," signifying its place within this prestigious collection.
The sculpture is presented on its original black laminate pedestal with granite top, creating a striking architectural presentation that elevates the figure and enhances its dramatic presence within an interior.
Elegant, historically important, and instantly recognizable, The Age of Bronze remains famous for a reason—an enduring masterpiece whose beauty, controversy, and artistic significance continue to captivate collectors more than a century after its creation.
Inventory #
Price $60,000
The Age of Bronze
