Why are there many copies of The Thinker around the world?

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Portrait of Auguste Rodin standing indoors, wearing a buttoned, two-toned coat with a full beard and tousled hair, looking slightly to the side. — Auguste Rodin French sculptor Auguste Rodin.

There are many copies of The Thinker around the world because Auguste Rodin actively encouraged the wide distribution of his art. During his lifetime, he authorized numerous editions of his work in both marble and bronze.1

Furthermore, Rodin sanctioned the Rodin Museum to execute posthumous editions of his sculptures, a practice that continues to this day to help maintain the museum as an autonomous organization. To facilitate the creation of these various sizes and duplicates, Rodin’s studio assistants utilized a Collas machine, which operated on a pantograph system. As a result of this intentional dissemination, monumental editions of the sculpture can be found in cities globally, including San Francisco, Tokyo, and Moscow.123