Portrait of Honoré de Balzac

myminifactory

The bust is cast from one of Rodin's first studies in clay for a monument honoring French writer Honoré de Balzac (1799-1850), commissioned by the Society of Writers under Emile Zola's presidency in 1891. Over 40 years had passed since Balzac's death, but Rodin researched his life and visited Tours to study local facial types to overcome this challenge. He also found a reliable source for the bust: a portrait of Balzac from around 1822 attributed to Achille Devéria. The original clay study's spirited handling was retained in the bronze, along with the sitter's erect head and direct gaze, conveying confidence and determination associated with youth. Later, Rodin decided to depict an older, haggard Balzac, life-size, wrapped in a long, loose robe - a choice that sparked controversy. Gallery location: Sculpture, Room 21, The Dorothy and Michael Hintze Galleries, case WN This object is part of "Scan The World," a non-profit initiative launched by MyMiniFactory. It aims to create a digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks, and landmarks from around the globe for public access free of charge. Scan The World is an open-source community effort. If you have interesting items and want to contribute, email stw@myminifactory.com to find out how to help. Courtesy of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.