Man with the Broken Nose

In 1867, Rodin adapted a stable to become his atelier, where he worked with a senior model by the name of "Bibi" to make his first model of the mask. According to Rainer Maria Rilke the man before Rodin was "a man with a calm demeanor and face. It had the face of a man which, when explored, was full of disorder". ==Description and influence==

The sculpture was cast on bronze with black, brown and green patina. It has a 12.5 x 15.1 x 15.3 cm (3.1 x 3.8 x 3.8 in) base, where Rodin's signature can be found. Even though there is a clear influence by other works at the Louvre, this mask represents the fidelity on contours that is characteristic of Rodin, made clear in the profound wrinkles and severe facial expression. This work was crucial in Rodin's unique aesthetical development. According to the artist himself: "That mask determined all my future work; it's the first modeled piece I did. Ever since, I've tried to see my works from all possible points of view and to draw them in every one of their aspects. That mask has been on my mind in every thing I have done". His later portraits have a singular life and individuality, partly because Rodin stayed on his contour modeling principles. == Problems ==

The mask was originally titled Portrait of M. *** and was generally rejected because it presented a man with a broken nose and strong, sharp facial features; which was considered ugly to the eyes of most people. ==See also==