Thinker on a Rock

Thinker on a Rock is a bronze sculpture in the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden that depicts a hare sitting in a meditative pose atop a rough stone. The smooth form of the animal contrasts sharply with the natural texture of the rock beneath it.

Barry Flanagan created this sculpture in 1997 as part of a series of works installed at multiple locations across different continents. The artist employed this concept to reinterpret classical artistic traditions in a contemporary way.

The work references Auguste Rodin's famous composition through its pose, but replaces the human figure with a hare, an animal that appears repeatedly throughout Flanagan's art. This substitution adds humor and an unexpected quality to the theme of deep thought.

The sculpture is accessible year-round in the outdoor garden setting and can be visited at no cost. Keep in mind that the garden transforms into an ice skating rink from December to March, which may limit access to certain areas during those months.

The bronze hare assumes a meditative posture that subtly echoes Rodin's famous Thinker pose, but the choice of animal transforms the classical theme with humor. This shift from human to animal creates an unexpected twist on an iconic artistic motif.

Location: Washington, D.C.

Inception: 1997

Creator: Barry Flanagan

GPS coordinates: 38.64799,-90.30864

Latest update: December 11, 2025 11:05