The Clenched Hand

Auguste Rodin often produced fragmentary studies of individual anatomical features, and stated, “I have always had an intense passion for the expression of the human hand.” In this work, the boldly modeled swellings and depressions of the hand suggest a sense of agitated anguish. This sculpture is probably related to Rodin’s grand project, The Burghers of Calais, in which a group of elderly men face the prospect of impending death.