The Musée Rodin hosts a temporary exhibition “Corps In-Visibles,” drawing on a series of sculptures and studies from the museum’s collection along with 19th century garments from the Palais Galliera. This fascinating exhibition revisits how Rodin created one of his most iconic works: “Monument to Balzac.” (to March 02, 2025). The point of departure for this exhibition features the ghost-like “Study for Balzac’s Dressing Gown,” an empty plaster garment suggesting the body it covered… reminiscent of “The Invisible Man” sci-fi thriller.
The Balzac sculpture was commissioned in 1891 by the Société des Gens de Lettres and a full-size plaster model was displayed in 1898 at the “Salon des Beaux Arts.” After coming under criticism the model was rejected by the ‘Société” and Rodin moved it to his home in Meudon. Rodin answered his critics: “For me Balzac is above all a creator and that’s what I want to show.” The model was cast in bronze for the first time in 1939 (22 years after the sculptor’s death) and placed at the corner of Boulevards Montparnasse and Raspail (where it can be seen today). The Balzac commission was eventually given to Alexandre Falguiere.
Balzac had died nearly a half century before Rodin received his commission. The exhibition illustrates—through studies, documents, photos and clothing — Rodin’s seven year quest to portray the novelist. In preparation for the sculpture, Rodin read the author’s works as well as traveled numerous times to the author’s hometown of Touraine in order to sketch and model clay portrait studies from individuals with similar likeness to the novelist. Rodin even had clothes resembling those of the Balzac’s made by the writer’s former tailor.
Despite this attention to details, Rodin created a nearly abstract revolutionary monument stripped of writers’ usual attributes (armchair, pen, book). His Balzac was not so much a portrait, but a powerful —and very modern—evocation of an inspired creator.
“Corps In-Visibles/In-Visible Bodies,” Musée Rodin. 77, rue de Varenne, Paris 75007. To March 02, 2025