For the next few weeks, he will be cleaned and restored to a dark brown patina with a hint of green – a color to which sculptor Rodin was partial, said Shelley Reisman Paine, who is performing the work.
“Our Thinker is world famous. He deserves to be presented as the artist Rodin created it,” said Kathleen Smith, chief of staff to the university president. “We look forward to seeing the restoration and returning The Thinker to his rightful seat in front of Grawemeyer Hall.”
The $74,000 restoration is part of the improvements to the Oval. Funding comes from federal and private sources.