The Age of Bronze, 1877 Auguste Rodin, 1840-1917 Plaster; h 173 cm This plaster original of The Age of Bronze was presented by Rodin to the St Petersburg Academy of Arts. The exhibition jury of Paris Salon held that it was so naturalistic it must have been cast from the living model. This first major work by the master brought him fame and illustrates Rodin's mastery in conveying potential movement even in static figures, which is typical of the sculptor's manner.