TheThinker_OilPainting_by_HollyVanHart_30x24.jpg
"The Thinker", 30" x 24" , Oil, Sold
Rodin Series:
I live near Stanford University, which has one of the world's largest collection of sculptures by Auguste Rodin. I've been fascinated by them for years, and recently created a series of paintings based on them. I aimed to show the emotions of the sculptures using vivid colors and unusual angles.
Description of "The Thinker" excerpted from my blog (hollyvanhart.blogspot.com):
Here's the next painting in my Rodin series, "The Thinker". Rodin once commented that The Thinker was not only a thinker and dreamer but also a creator, which is (I believe) how Rodin viewed himself. Rodin actually had himself buried under a cast of The Thinker, which tells us how strongly he connected with this sculpture.
What I like about the angle of this image is how it emphasizes the man's hand. In order to create things, you not only have to think, you also have to take action (symbolized by the large hand). I also like how this angle shows off the rotunda of the Cantor Arts Center at Stanford University, where a large casting of The Thinker is installed.
The sculpture of The Thinker is made of bronze. In my Rodin series paintings, I like to use variations of the color red, which is the color of life.
As an aside, medical experts think the model for the Thinker was between 40 and 45 years old. This was also Rodin's age at the time his sculpted this work, and my age at the time I painted it.
Purchase:
This is an original oil painting (not a reproduction or copy), and it was created with great care using the highest quality archival materials. This painting is on 100% cotton gallery-wrap canvas. The edges of the canvas are painted a dark color that complements the painting, and it is ready to hang on the wall unframed. Please check out the "Purchase Inquiries" tab on this website for details on price and shipping, and feel free to email me with any questions.