Rodin: The Age of Bronze in the Orsay

Rodin: The Age of Bronze in the Orsay

Rodin: The Age of Bronze in the Musée d’Orsay — the first copy ever cast (by the Thiebault Brothers) had a modesty cover for the male genitals.

The Age of Bronze / L’Âge d’airain was the first large-scale sculpture made by Auguste Rodin (1840–1917).

An important breakthrough for L’Âge d’airain (and Rodin) came in 1880 when the French state ordered a bronze copy. This first bronze version was ordered with a leaf covering the genitals. It was originally displayed in the Jardin de Luxembourg and is currently in the Musée d’Orsay in Paris (with modesty cover permanently in place).

About the Author

Henk Bekker is a European travel writer specializing in transportation, cultural destinations, and practical travel advice for visitors to Europe. His work focuses on clear, up-to-date guides that simplify complex travel systems such as public transportation, tickets, and routes.