Rodin’s Balzac: Gesture & Presence

      **Balzac** replaces ornament with **idea**. Drapery becomes **geology**; silhouette does the **heavy lifting**.

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      ### What to See

      - Pyramid of **weight** rising into the head.  
      - **Cape** reads as **energy field**, not cloth.  
      - Minimal detail, maximal **presence**.

      | Expectation | Rodin’s Answer |
      |---|---|
      | Portrait likeness | Embodied intensity |
      | Smooth finish | Expressive topography |
      | Narrative props | Pure stance |

      > Details are for **intimate encounters**; the **silhouette** carries across a plaza.

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      ### Context & Background

      - Public controversy framed Rodin’s **modern monument** as **radical**.  
      - Studies in **plaster** test **weight distribution** and **cape volume**.  
      - Later casts explore **site relations**—plaza vs **garden**.

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      ### Deeper Dive: Silhouette over Likeness

      Rodin asks: what **reads** across distance? A **mass** that **holds** air, a **stance** that carries intent. Drapery aggregates **weather** and **time** into **topography**—Balzac is **presence**, not paraphernalia.

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      ### Quick Facts

      | Item | Detail |
      |---|---|
      | Commission | Société des Gens de Lettres |
      | Studies | Plaster sequences |
      | Material | Bronze |
      | Best View | Long shot, slightly below |

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      ### FAQs

      - **Why no pedestal?** Many displays favor **human proximity**; sites vary.  
      - **Is likeness important?** Less than **gesture**—the monument is **intent**.  
      - **Where to stand?** Off‑axis for **cape volume**.

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      ### Pro Tips

      - Walk the **perimeter** to feel **mass drift**.  
      - Photograph at **low angle** to tighten silhouette.  
      - Compare to **Burghers** for group vs single **presence**.