Does it ever feel like your thoughts emerge from nowhere? This is the essence of Auguste Rodin’s La Pensée sculpture. It captures the fleeting moment of an idea’s birth.
La Pensée translates to “The Thought” in English. This marble sculpture is more than just a pretty face. It is a representation of thought itself.
Rodin began working on La Pensée around 1895. The sculpture shows a woman’s face emerging from a rough block of marble. The contrast is striking. The face is smooth and polished. The rest of the block is left raw and unfinished.
The face is tilted slightly forward. It is shadowed adding to the sense of introspection. Her eyes seem fixed on something unseen lost in reverie.
Several titles have been given to this artwork. “Camille Claudel au Bonnet” is one. Others include “Contemplation” and “La Pensée Émergeant de la Matière”. This last title translates to “Thought Emerging from Matter”. It perhaps best describes the piece. Another title is “Sphinx Moderne”.
Camille Claudel was Rodin’s student and lover. She often modeled for him. It is believed that Claudel’s face inspired La Pensée. Léonce Bénédite tells that Rodin decided to leave the block rough hewn below the head during the work on the sculpture.
Rodin’s La Pensée was exhibited several times during his lifetime. These exhibitions spanned continents. They were held in Paris, New York, Tokyo, and Kyoto.
The sculpture was acquired by Monsieur G. Durand in 1896. Durand bought it directly from Rodin for 7000 francs. Durand agreed not to reproduce it except for two copies that Rodin would keep. In October 1896, it was delivered to Durand’s home.
After Durand’s death, his widow donated La Pensée to the Musée du Luxembourg in 1902. Rodin himself oversaw the transport of the sculpture.
La Pensée remained at the Musée du Luxembourg until 1918. It was then moved to the Musée Rodin. Later it was assigned to the Musée du Louvre. Finally, in 1986, it found its current home at the Musée d’Orsay.
The Musée d’Orsay summarizes La Pensée perfectly. The contrast between the polished face and the rough block enhances the idea of an apparition. It gives the work Symbolist depth.
The marble head weighs 242 kilograms. Its dimensions are 74.2 cm high, 43.5 cm wide, and 46.1 cm deep.
Looking at La Pensée we see the embodiment of thought. We see the moment an idea takes shape emerging from the unknown. It invites us to contemplate the origins of our own thoughts.