Dialogue by Mark:

What's the first thing you think of when someone says "genius?" Well, I think of .... thinking! Deep thoughts. Concentration Massive brain power. So for today's Masters' Gallery, our genius art historian, Kim at KidsArt, found us exactly the right piece of art to express our gigantic intellectual thoughts. This sculpture is called "The Thinker," and it was made in the late 1800's by the French artist Auguste Rodin.

This statue is one of the most famous sculptures of all times. The artist, who's full name was Francois Auguste Rene Rodin, grew up in Paris, France. He wanted to be an artist, but he could never get accepted into the great art school in Paris. He worked as a craftsman and a stonecutter, and finally joined a monastery. His abbot recognized the talent in the young novice, and encouraged him to become a sculptor.

Rodin studied the works of the great masters of his time. He learned how sculptures were made, both the technical aspects of carving stone and pouring molten metal into moulds, and the artistic skills he needed. He always tried to show people the way they really were, even though it was more popular to make sculptures of perfect or heroic figures. One of Rodin's first works was called "Man with a Broken Nose," the portrait of an ugly old man who was a boxer. The galleries in Paris would not exhibit the piece until they gave it the grand name... "Portrait of a Roman."

"The Thinker" is a powerful figure. Rodin never gave him a name...he was meant to stand for all of mankind rather than any particular person. He is the perfect symbol for the deep thoughts of a genius! Thanks to the Cleveland Museum of Art for this Master's Gallery painting!