This 3D-printed Museum Replica faithfully reproduces Auguste Rodin’s bronze sculpture “The Fallen Caryatid Carrying Her Stone,” originally created circa 1880–1881. The work depicts a female caryatid—a classical architectural motif of a sculpted woman as a supporting column—collapsed under the weight of a stone on her shoulder. In contrast to traditional upright and serene caryatids, this figure is shown in a nude, curled pose of defeat and determination, emphasizing themes of human vulnerability, endurance, and suffering.
Conceived as part of Rodin’s monumental project “The Gates of Hell,” inspired by Dante’s “Inferno” and Michelangelo’s art, the sculpture was modeled in Paris and initially positioned on the gates’ left pilaster. Exhibited independently from 1883, multiple versions were produced in bronze and marble during the 1880s and 1890s, with an enlarged edition created between 1911 and 1918. Rodin described it as symbolizing perpetual struggle, akin to “bearing the impossible as in a dream.” It has influenced interpretations, such as Robert Heinlein’s in “Stranger in a Strange Land,” viewing it as a emblem of unsung perseverance.
In the Symbolist context of late 19th-century Europe, the piece subverts ancient Greek caryatids (e.g., those on the Erechtheion in Athens) by portraying raw frailty, akin to Sisyphus’s eternal labor. The spiral pose invites multi-angle viewing, highlighting Rodin’s innovative focus on emotional expression over classical idealism.
The Fallen Caryatid Carrying Her Stone is available in the following materials:
– White Nylon: Polished for a smoother surface; the most economical option.
– Black Nylon: Treated post-printing for resistance to scratching, rubbing, and external conditions; provides stable, consistent color across batches with a uniform, high-quality finish.
– Bronze: Cast using a wax master model created via 3D printing, followed by plaster molding and liquid metal injection for an elegant metallic appearance.
– Gold Plated Brass: Metal casting with gold plating for a luxurious finish.
– White Rhodium Plated Brass: Cast in metal with white rhodium plating, achieved via wax master and plaster mold process for refined elegance.
More about the materials: https://www.sculpteo.com/en/materials/
Objects exceeding production limits for specific materials are rendered in a reduced scale compared to originals.
