Meditation (The Inner Voice)

The sculpture you're looking at is Meditation.

Like many of Rodin's other sculptures, this work also originated as one of the figures on The Gates of Hell.

As Rodin worked on The Gates of Hell, he selected some of his favorite figures and recreated them as larger standalone sculptures.

This is one of those works.

He also reused this figure as one of the muses standing behind Victor Hugo in his Monument to Victor Hugo.

Now, let's take a closer look at the sculpture.

Notice the remarkably challenging pose. It's a position that would be extremely difficult for a real person to hold,

allowing Rodin to showcase the flexibility and expressive movement of the human body. You may also notice that the sculpture has a dark brown or almost black surface. This color comes from a natural layer known as patina, which forms on bronze over time.

Since this sculpture has been displayed in the garden continuously since 1927, years of exposure to rain and the elements have gradually changed its color.

The same is true of most of the bronze sculptures displayed throughout the garden.

Take your time enjoying the sculpture, and when you're ready, let's move on to the next one.