The exhibit at the Fine Art's Museum here in Virginia has the famous sculpture, 'The Thinking Man.' In my room for years I have had two book ends depicting this piece of work, but never really studied it. My little replicas hardly carry enough detail to see what's possible to realize in the larger than life presentation above.
What I noticed was that this 'Thinking Man' is slouched. His muscles are bulging, strenuously. He appears to be in a great deal of pain, I imagine it's mental pain, with the sculptor showing the physical pain as an allegory to the mental situation. Additionally was designed to crest one of his major commissioned works - 'The Gates of Hell'
All these years later I finally see that my little noble gold book ends, are casts of an individual the crown of hell. A person locked in his own mind and straining for release.
I do not plan on getting rid of my book ends at this time. (they're quite functional)
I was however amused at the necklaces sold in the gift shop, and seeing 'Thinking (suffering) Man' around anyones neck would be slightly nauseating.
All we have to do is look, and we will see. Some just see 'famous,' some see icon's misconstrued as truth - and unwittingly wear it around their necks.