The sculpture portrays a small hand in relief, emerging from a block of marble. The sculpture is predominantly white, typical of marble, with a contrast in texture between the smooth hand and the rough background. The hand appears to be that of a young child due to its size and delicate structure. The inscription around the hand reads "Offerte à Madame Elysabeth Mermillod en souvenir de sa fille Sally Hicks Croswell," dedicated to a madame in memory of her daughter. The name "A. Rodin" is engraved below the hand, indicating the artist. The sculpture is intimate and personal, with the…
Gallery mode Full size at the museum

Window mode follows your eyes with your camera, in this browser only: no picture or position leaves your device.

Memorial Relief (Hand of a Child)

sculptor Auguste Rodin (French, 1840 - 1917)

1908

Medium
marble
Classification
Sculpture
Dimensions
overall: 40.8 × 32.7 × 14.9 cm, 60 lb. (16 1/16 × 12 7/8 × 5 7/8 in., 27.216 kg)
Culture
French
Museum
National Gallery of Art, CSD
Credit line
Gift of Elizabeth Merrill Furness
Rights
Public domain (NGA Open Access, CC0), as the museum states it.
Who can see it
Tweens profiles and older: its subjects are known and suit older children. How works are placed

View at the National Gallery of Art