#32 The Thinker

# 32 The Thinker

By

Vernon M. Herron

The Thinker Statue by Auguste Rodin

According to the Statue Store, one of Auguste Rodin’s most famous sculptures is The Thinker Statue, a piece originally conceived to be part of another work. The Store continues to project that the Thinker was part of a commission by the Museum of Decorative Arts in Paris to sculpt a monumental door based on The Divine Comedy of Dante. Each of the statues in the piece represented one of the main characters in the epic poem.

Initially named the The Poet, The Thinker status was intended to represent Dante himself at the top of the door reflecting on the scene below. However, we can speculate that Rodin thought of the figure in broader, more universal terms.

The Thinker is depicted as a man in sober meditation battling with a powerful internal struggle. The unique pose with hand to the chin, right elbow to the left knee, and crouching position allows the status to survey the work with a contemplative feel.

Through the years, I have been fascinated and motivated by the statue, The Thinker. Early on, it was a fixture in my study, work office and home. It inspired me to strive to be a thinker, ever mindful that it is said that:

80 % of people don’t think
10 % of people think that they think—while only
10% of people really think.

ARE YOU A THINKER?

He who knows not and

knows that he knows not

Is a child—teach him!

He who knows not and

knows not that he knows not

Is a fool, shun him!

He who knows and

knows that he knows

Is a thinker/leader, follow him!