Portrait of Pope Benedict XV (1854-1922), first modeled 1915, this cast 1971
Bronze
Auguste Rodin
French, 1840-1917
At the start of World War I, Rodin left France and traveled to London and Rome. While in Italy, Rodin made this portrait bust of Pope Benedict XV, which was one of the last sculptures completed before his death in 1917. The newly elected Pope was reluctant to sit for the artist and could not understand why Rodin needed to study him from all angles. Each time the artist moved to study his sitter’s profile, the Pope turned his head to see what was happening.
Although only four sittings were permitted, Rodin came away with a private image of a very public figure.
Gift of B. Gerald Cantor Art Foundation, M.73.108.16
