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The Falling Man

The Falling Man, also known as L'Homme qui tombe, is a sculpture by French artist Auguste Rodin modeled in 1882. It is part of the emblematic The Gates of Hell. The figure represents accumulated human force plunging into the eternal void of hell. In The Gates of Hell, it appears in three different positions: at the top of the left leaf or jamb, above the right column supporting Squatting Woman to form the group I Am Beautiful, and as the central piece of Avarice at the lower end. Its unchanged musculature in different orientations shows that Rodin favored expressive effect over strict fidelity to gravity.

The Falling Man bronze sculpture showing a male figure arching backward on a block-like base.
The Falling Man sculpture depicts a male body arching backward atop a rugged base.
© · CC BY-SA 4.0
The Falling Man bronze sculpture shows a muscular male figure leaning backward with arms outstretched on a rocky base.
The Falling Man by Auguste Rodin, shown in a dramatic backward-leaning pose on a rocky base.
© · CC BY-SA 4.0
The Falling Man bronze sculpture shown against a white background in a forward-leaning pose.
The Falling Man sculpture shown from a low angle, with one leg planted on a rocky base and the body leaning forward.
© · CC BY-SA 4.0
The Falling Man bronze torso sculpture on a concrete plinth in a park setting.
The Falling Man by Auguste Rodin shown as a bronze torso on a concrete plinth.
© · CC BY-SA 3.0
The Falling Man bronze torso mounted on a light-colored base against a dark background.
The Falling Man is shown as a headless bronze torso on a light-colored base.
© Auguste Rodin (France, 1840-1917) · Public domain

Identification

TitleThe Falling Man
Spanish titleEl hombre que cae
TypeSculpture
Original titleL'Homme qui tombe

Creator

ArtistAuguste Rodin
Artist nationalityFrench

Historical context

Date modeled1882
Part ofThe Gates of Hell

Iconography and meaning

InterpretationSome authors have suggested that Rodin may have suspected the commission for The Gates of Hell would be canceled
Depicted subjectA human figure representing accumulated human force hurled into the eternal void of hell

Physical characteristics

PoseArched position

Appearance

Appearance in The Gates of HellAppears in three places: at the top of the left leaf or left door; above the right column or pilaster supporting Squatting Woman/Crouching Woman as part of She Who Was Once the Helmet-Maker's Beautiful Wife / I am beautiful; and as the central piece of Avarice at the bottom of the Gates
MusculatureThe figure's musculature does not change when it appears in different directions in The Gates of Hell

Other

Functional impact on The Gates of HellThe arched position may have made the doors difficult, if not impossible, to open and close, hindering their function
Image viewsSide view; front view

Technique

Treatment of gravityRodin did not take gravity into account in the representation

Significance

Art-historical significanceIt anticipates modern art by privileging expressiveness over verisimilitude