The Thinker

A world traveler, Cranbrook Art Museum founder George G. Booth was deeply impressed with Rodin's brooding "The Thinker," found at the entrance of both the Detroit Institute of Arts and the Cleveland Art Museum, Booth wanted a thinker for Cranbrook. So as his museum came to completion in the 1930s, Booth approached Fredericks with a request to make a "Thinker" for its steps.

Naturally, Fredericks felt it was unthinkable to do Rodin's sculpture over again in any form. So with his characteristic humor, he created a chimpanzee that appears to be thinking very deep thoughts. When "The Thinker" was presented to Booth, the elder gentleman studied it quietly for a few moments. Then, recognizing the idea and the quality of the sculpture, he commented that Fredericks’ chimp was probably thinking far more interesting thoughts than were humans.

Bronze castings of Fredericks' "The Thinker" are located at the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids, Michigan and the Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum on the campus of Saginaw Valley State University near Saginaw, Michigan.

This bronze sculpture was cast in limited number editions of 15 after Mr. Fredericks' death in 1998. "The Thinker" measures 13" x 9" x 9" and rests on a black marble base with a brown patina.

There is a limited number of this sculpture left so do not hesitate to call us at 989-964-7125 or send an email to mfsm@svsu.edu for more information or to purchase this sculpture.