Few People Know The Iconic Thinker Statue In Cleveland Was Actually Imported From France
By Nikki Rhoades|Published January 04, 2023
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Nikki Rhoades
Author
Nikki is a lifelong Ohioan with a love for literature. She holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Akron and has enjoyed publishing her written work since 2007. She has a love of travel and does so frequently, though she believes that home is where the heart is — she continues to work in and around Cleveland as a digital content specialist to this day, working on everything from commercial scripts and social media posts to grassroots marketing initiatives.
Auguste Rodin’s The Thinker is one of the most recognizable statues from the recent past. The iconic portrayal of a man, hunched over deep in thought, has taken on a life of its own in a way even the artist himself couldn’t predict. Believe it or not, the local The Thinker statue in Cleveland was imported from France after its casting was supervised by Rodin himself. Of course, our statue looks a little bit different than most others… and, boy, does this Cleveland landmark have a story to tell. Buckle up, because we’re going to take a trip back through time to unlock the secrets of this statue.
All around the world, Auguste Rodin's The Thinker is instantly recognizable.
This iconic statue was originally made as part of The Gates of Hell, a larger sculptural group work commissioned in 1880. It was meant to be displayed in front of a French museum that, sadly, was never built. However, the sculptures didn't go to waste.
While originally inspired by Dante's Inferno, the opening of Divine Comedy, the contemplative nature of this statue has given it universal acclaim.
The statue was meant to be contemplating the scenes of torment depicted in Inferno, possibly a reflection of Rodin himself contemplating his work. However, it has come to represent philosophy to many onlookers. After all, that guy is deep in thought.
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There are around 27 total castings of The Thinker, but the Cleveland example is one of the oldest.
Many of these castings were not made during Rodin's lifetime, but this local copy was. Before it was donated to the Cleveland Museum of Art, its creation was supervised by Auguste Rodin himself. Cleveland local Ralph T. King purchased the statue from the artist and donated it in 1917, ensuring it would be appreciated by locals just as the original is widely admired in Paris.
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As original variations of the statue were placed outdoors, Cleveland's was too.
While the statue was originally displayed inside the Cleveland Museum of Art, it was eventually moved outside to keep up with tradition. Of course, this presented a few challenges. The brutality of Cleveland weather took its toll on the statue, changing its color almost immediately. Conservation efforts were needed to maintain the integrity of the bronze, and fast.
If the Cleveland statue looks slightly different than other variations of The Thinker, that's because its base was blown up on March 24, 1970 in the middle of the night. A bomb was placed on its pedestal, effectively destroying the base and lower legs of the statue. Nobody was hurt, and the police never managed to identify the bomber. Nonetheless, significant damage had been done to an arguably priceless piece of work.
Following the bombing, the Cleveland Museum of Art was faced with a decision... should they replace the statue? Repair it? Or would it make sense to display it as is?
Ultimately, it was decided that the statue should not be repaired or replaced. The museum wasn't interested in removing Rodin's legacy from this particular statue by simply replacing it with a posthumous cast, and the damage would have made it difficult if not impossible to repair. Instead, they displayed the statue in its damaged state, which added a new layer of interpretation to the piece. Now, the statue almost seems to be contemplating a tumultuous era in Cleveland's own history.
Like the other statues in Wade Oval's Fine Arts Garden, the statue is lovingly cleaned and protected each spring and fall.
Wondering what this guy looks like without the weathering? You can see a smaller version of The Thinkerdisplayed inside the museum. This one was also made under Rodin's supervision, though it has never been displayed outdoors. In fact, the museum has a number of works by Auguste Rodin on display, including statues, paintings, and drypoint sketches.
Nowadays, this French statue is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Cleveland.
From its fascinating beginnings as literary commentary to its unprecedented political turmoil in Cleveland, this statue has quite the story to tell. If you're curious to see how it compares with the original, you can interact with a 3D rendering online. As you'll notice, the stone he once sat on has been transformed into bronze plumes on the Cleveland statue. While a sad reminder of Vietnam-era turmoil, the damage definitely adds something interesting to Cleveland's local landmark.
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To this day, you can visit the landmark in University Circle, where it sits just outside of the Cleveland Museum of History.
Bring a camera to document your visit! When you're interacting with this guy, you're getting a hands-on experience with art history.
The stunning and unique The Thinker statue in Cleveland is certainly a source of local pride. It’s beautiful, instantly recognizable, and rather humbling to see in person. From its crafting by one iconic French artist to its bombing in Cleveland, this statue has a story to tell.
Want to learn more about the statue’s historic bombing? Check out our article on Cleveland’s reputation as Bomb City, USA back in the 1970s. If you remember the era of turmoil, we’d love to hear your thoughts and memories in the comments!
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