Minneapolis Art Gallery Collection 12th Century Bronze Statue of Shiva Nataraja, India

Minneapolis Art Gallery Collection 12th Century Bronze Statue of Shiva Nataraja, India

The Hindu god Shiva appears in several incarnations. Here, Shiva appears as the king of the dance. He raised his left foot in an elegant dancing pose. In his upper right hand, Nataraja holds a drum, the sound of which embodies creation. The flame he held in his upper left hand symbolized destruction. Together they symbolize the creation and destruction of the universe. The gestures of the lower left and lower right palms of the icon indicate protection. The foot resting on the demon's back symbolizes the elimination of ignorance, while the raised left foot symbolizes salvation. A now-missing ring of fire, symbolizing the simultaneous and continuing creation and destruction of the universe, will surround the bronze icon.
A plaster image of The Thinker at the Rodin Gallery in Paris

A plaster image of The Thinker at the Rodin Gallery in Paris

The Thinker is a sculpture created by French sculptor Auguste Rodin. The plaster model was made in 1880 with a height of 68.5cm. Now in the collection of the Rodin Gallery in Paris., It depicts a naked male sitting on a rock, showing concern and sympathy for the fate of mankind in a thoughtful gesture. This work was originally designed for the central part of Rodin's other giant sculpture, The Gates of Hell, which was later enlarged by Rodin and became a famous work on its own. The Thinker is considered one of Rodin's masterpieces and one of the most influential sculptures in the history of Western art.