Logan Square in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

The Thinker

Photographed By Larry Gertner, September 2014

1. The Thinker Marker

Inscription.
1880-81, enlarged 1902-1904
August Rodin (1840-1917)

Rodin first imagined The Thinker as a small central figure near the top of The Gates of Hell , a sculpture now installed at the Rodin Museum. The Gates of Hell is based on The Inferno, an epic poem by the Italian poet Dante, and Rodin conceived the contemplative figure as representing the poet’s creative force.
Rodin later enlarged The Thinker to monumental scale. In this form, it has come to symbolize all creative thought. The arrangement here, with an architectural façade behind the sculpture, matches Rodin’s gravesite near Paris. The bronze cast, made in 1919, was donated to Philadelphia by movie theater magnate Jules Mastbaum.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Arts, Letters, Music. A significant historical year for this entry is 1919.

Location. 39° 57.694′ N, 75° 10.464′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It is in Logan Square. Marker can be reached from Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2151 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, Philadelphia PA 19130, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Rodin Museum (a few steps from this marker); Architectural Fragment (a few steps from this marker); Green Spaces, Fresh Air

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

(within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Rodin Museum (within shouting distance of this marker); The Gates of Hell (within shouting distance of this marker); The Three Shades (within shouting distance of this marker); The Burghers of Calais (within shouting distance of this marker); A Home for Art (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Philadelphia.

Also see . . . The Thinker (1902-04, cast 1919) by Auguste Rodin (1840 - 1917). "Association for Public Art" entry. (Submitted on April 16, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Photographed By Larry Gertner, September 2014

2. The Thinker

Photographed By Larry Gertner, September 2014

3. The portico

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 5, 2017, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 200 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 5, 2017, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.