In 1890, Auguste Rodin was commissioned by the Société des Gens de Lettres – the Society of literary men to erect a monument honoring Balzac. This initiative, that required eight years, is, for several reasons, one of the major events of history modern sculpture. First of all because a lot is at stake given the importance of the figure of the writer to whom still no monument was dedicated since his death in 1850. Then because Rodin sought to be as close as possible to his model and his truth and thus implemented a new work procedure. Finally because, during the presentation of the plaster at the 1898 exhibition, the work of the sculptor caused a huge scandal.
Rencontres : Augste Rodin, Monument à Balzac
