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Mask of the man with the broken nose
(Masque de l'Homme au nez cassé)
(1863-1872)
Medium
bronze
Measurements
48.5 × 20.1 × 15.9 cm (overall)
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Bequest of Howard Spensley, 1939
Gallery location
19th Century European Paintings Gallery
Level 2, NGV International
About this work
Rodin has often been compared with the Italian master Michelangelo, and some authors maintain that he is the greatest sculptor since the Renaissance. The comparison is appealing because Rodin was directly inspired by Michelangelo, particularly in his early years. Indeed, Man with a broken nose was modelled on a man named Bibi, who Rodin knew, and who resembled the Italian sculptor. This mask is the first bronze Rodin made that he considered a success, and he was so satisfied with the result that it convinced him to pursue sculpture as a career. He commented that it ‘determined all my future work’.
Artwork Details
Accession Number
3974-D3
Department
International Sculpture
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of Digitisation Champion Ms Carol Grigor through Metal Manufactures Limited