Shade, The

Primary Creator
Rodin, Auguste
Contributor(s)
Properties
Era1900s
Height75
Length30
StyleRealism (19th, 20th, 21st Century)
Width30
Name of Work Shade, The
Production Date 1880-1904
Production Location


FR
Paris

Current Location


FR
Paris

Media Types Bronze
General Notes

Description

It is a full-size male nude figure, in bronze.  It is one of three variations, which formed the group "The Shades" as part of the larger group, "Gates of Hell".  The figure is bent abnormally at the neck as if under some tremendous load or something is distorting his ability to stand upright.

Theme

The world destroys man. (Some unknown evil force is destroying this young strong man.) Given that the sculpture is titled as a "Shade" and is related to the Group sculpture "Gates of Hell", one can presume the evil is some unnamed condition that can overpower life and cause destruction of the good.

Emotional Sum or Sense-of-life

Life is a gruesome trial. There is no hope.

Context Information

Tags

Gates of Hell, Rodin