St. John the Baptist
- Date
- 1878
- Material
- Bronze
- cast in
- Paris, Île-de-France region, France, Europe
- Classification
- Metalwork, sculpture
- Collection
- Modern and Contemporary Art
- Current Location
- Not on view
- Dimensions
- height: 79 1/4 in. (201.3 cm)
- Credit Line
- Museum Purchase
- Rights
- Public Domain
- Object Number
- 2:1946
NOTES
Auguste Rodin depicted St. John the Baptist as a vigorous figure in motion. In fact, the sculptor requested that his model, an Italian peasant named Pignatelli, walk repeatedly about the studio so he could capture the spontaneity of the young man's movements. Rodin's representation of natural motion challenged conventional nineteenth century sculptural practices that conformed to an accepted canon of suitable, classical poses. For this reason, St. John became a milestone in the development of modern sculpture.
Provenance
1912 - still in 1946
Dr. Michael Berolzheimer, Untergrainau bei Garmisch, Germany, and Mount Vernon, NY, USA, acquired from the artist [1]
1946
Bucholz Gallery (Curt Valentin), New York, NY, acquired from the estate of Dr. Michael Berolzheimer [2]
1946 -
Saint Louis Art Museum, purchased from Bucholz Gallery [3]
Notes:
[1] An invoice to Dr. Berolzheimer from Chenue Emballeur-Expéditeur of Paris, France dated February 15, 1912 includes the shipping charges for the transport of the sculpture from "Maître Auguste Rodin" to Dr. Berolzheimer [SLAM document files]. In a letter from the artist to Dr. Berolzheimer, Rodin expresses his happiness that the sculpture has found a place in Dr. Berolzheimer's collection [SLAM document file]. The sculpture was installed outside of Dr. Berolzheimer's home called "Hügel am Weg" [see postcard with image of the sculpture, SLAM document file].
[2] In the 1946 book "Origins of Modern Sculpture," the sculpture is noted as "Lent by Dr. M. Berolzheimer to the Museum of Modern Art" [Valentiner, W. R.. "Origins of Modern Sculpture." New York: Wittenborn and Company, 1946, p.xi]. According to an invoice from Bucholz Gallery dated January 8, 1946, the sculpture was "acquired from the estate of Dr. Michel [sic?] Berolzheimer [SLAM document files]. According to the Minutes of the Administrative Board of Control of the City Art Museum, January 3, 1946, Bucholz Gallery was representing Dr. Berolsheimer [sic] in the sale.
[3] See note [2].
Dr. Michael Berolzheimer, Untergrainau bei Garmisch, Germany, and Mount Vernon, NY, USA, acquired from the artist [1]
1946
Bucholz Gallery (Curt Valentin), New York, NY, acquired from the estate of Dr. Michael Berolzheimer [2]
1946 -
Saint Louis Art Museum, purchased from Bucholz Gallery [3]
Notes:
[1] An invoice to Dr. Berolzheimer from Chenue Emballeur-Expéditeur of Paris, France dated February 15, 1912 includes the shipping charges for the transport of the sculpture from "Maître Auguste Rodin" to Dr. Berolzheimer [SLAM document files]. In a letter from the artist to Dr. Berolzheimer, Rodin expresses his happiness that the sculpture has found a place in Dr. Berolzheimer's collection [SLAM document file]. The sculpture was installed outside of Dr. Berolzheimer's home called "Hügel am Weg" [see postcard with image of the sculpture, SLAM document file].
[2] In the 1946 book "Origins of Modern Sculpture," the sculpture is noted as "Lent by Dr. M. Berolzheimer to the Museum of Modern Art" [Valentiner, W. R.. "Origins of Modern Sculpture." New York: Wittenborn and Company, 1946, p.xi]. According to an invoice from Bucholz Gallery dated January 8, 1946, the sculpture was "acquired from the estate of Dr. Michel [sic?] Berolzheimer [SLAM document files]. According to the Minutes of the Administrative Board of Control of the City Art Museum, January 3, 1946, Bucholz Gallery was representing Dr. Berolsheimer [sic] in the sale.
[3] See note [2].
We regularly update records, which may be incomplete. If you have additional information, please contact us at provenance@slam.org.