Two Hands Forming a Gothic Cathedral: The Cathedral

This work carries the title The Cathedral. Made of nothing but two clasped hands, it was originally called The Arch of Alliance, but after Rodin published a book titled The Cathedrals of France in 1914, the piece came to be known as The Cathedral instead.

Look at the sculpture and you'll notice how the negative space between the two hands, and the rising curve of the fingers, echo the lines of Gothic architecture. Gothic style was widely used in the construction of churches and cathedrals, and Rodin was known to have a particular fondness for it. That affinity shows in several other hand sculptures he made in this style, more of which can be found elsewhere in this room.