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Among Auguste Rodin's most famous works is his monumental sculpture of John the Baptist Preaching (1878). Rodin further explored the theme in his bronze studies of John's decapitated head, as well as his eloquent hands.

Source:DMAC, Paper Cuts, April 23 - July 11, 2004, p.7.


Exhibition History"Commitment, Community and Controversy: The Des Moines Art Center Collections," Des Moines Art Center, Des Moines, Iowa, January 24 - May 10, 1998

"Auguste Rodin," Flint Institute of Arts, Jan. 13 - Mar. 16, 1980
Published References"Sculptures - Rodin (Auguste), Auction catalog of estate of Jean-Paul Laurens, Paris, c.1922, no.2, p.6

IOWAN MAGAZINE, Dec. 1955 - Jan. 1956, ill. p.19

DES MOINES ART CENTER: SELECTED PAINTINGS, SCULPTURES AND WORKS ON PAPER, Des Moines Art Center, 1985, ref. pp.183 & 184
DimensionsOverall: 5 5/8 × 8 × 10 5/8 in. (14.3 × 20.3 × 27 cm)
Accession Number 1931.2
Classificationssculpture
CopyrightPublic Domain
InscriptionsTwo seals inside of Head: Numbers 6010 in red seal; 22.729 in brown seal
ProvenanceArtist; Jean Paul Laurens, Paris [gift of the previous]; Paul Foinet, Paris [purchased from estate of the previous, 1922]; Des Moines Association of Fine Arts [purchased from the previous, 1931]; Des Moines Art Center [gift of the previous, 1948]
Lifeless Head of St. John the Baptist
Photo Credit: Rich Sanders, Des Moines
Photo Credit: Rich Sanders, Des Moines