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Research Resources | |
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Rodin's "The Thinker" |
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The Thinker at the CMA
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Rodin's Thinker at the CMA
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Conservation Issues: The Thinker
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Conservation Issues: The Thinker The museum's large cast of The Thinker has a unique history that highlights some of the ethical and practical issues inherent in the field of conservation. Cast under Rodin's direct supervision, the large version of The Thinker was purchasesd from the artist by Clevelander Ralph T King who donated it to the museum in 1917. First displayed in the museum's rotunda, it was soon moved outside, to the museum's south entrance. Once the sculpture was outdoors, its surface began to corrode almost immediately, changing the color and appearance of the metal. Over the years, hand-rubbing, wax, and commercial oil preparations were used to protect it. Then, in 1970, the sculpture was severely damaged by a dynamite explosion. According to the Cleveland Police Department, this act of vandalism was committed by a cell of the politically radical Weather Underground that was operating in Cleveland at the time.In the aftermath of the bombing, the museum considered three options: 1) obtain and display a replacement cast; 2) repair the sculpture by welding on newly-cast sections to replace the areas that were damaged; 3) mount and display the damaged sculpture. All three options were problematic in some way. With the first, a new cast of the complete sculpture would be removed historically from the original, which was so closely connected with the artist. A recast would in essence be a reprodcution. With the second, distortions caused by the dynamite blast would have made it difficult to align the replacement sections with those original sculpture. The third option was chosen largely because it preserved what was left of Rodin's original work and because the damaged sculpture would bear vivid witness to a period of political unrest in the United States during the Vietnam War. Like the museum's other outdoor sculptures, The Thinker now recieves routine maintenance twice a year. It is washed and rewaxed each spring and fall. An imteresting comparison can be made with the musem's small version of The Thinker. Also cast in the late 19th century under Rodin's direct supervision, this work has remained indoors, in the controlled environment of the museum, and is in excllent condition. The original surface and artistic intention have been preserved. Page 2 of 2 | On the next page: The Thinker Vandalized |
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