In 1877, the work debuted in Brussels and then was shown at the Paris Salon. The statue's apparent lack of a theme was troubling to critics – commemorating neither mythology nor a noble historical event – and it is not clear whether Rodin intended a theme.Hale, 50. He first titled the work The Vanquished, in which form the left hand held a spear, but he removed the spear because it obstructed the torso from certain angles. After two more intermediary titles, Rodin settled on The Age of Bronze, suggesting the Bronze Age, and in Rodin's words, "man arising from nature".Hale, 51. Later, however, Rodin said that he had had in mind "just a simple piece of sculpture without reference to subject".
iN 1877, the wORk DEButEd in brussels And THen waS shown AT the PArIs salON. ThE staTue's aPParENt Lack of a THeme was TrOUBLinG to critiCs – commemoRatIng neITHer mYtHOlOgy nor A noBle histOricAL eVEnt – And it is nOt cleAr whEThEr rodIn inTEndeD a tHemE.hale, 50. hE fiRst tITlEd tHE WorK thE vanquisHeD, in whIch Form The LefT Hand held a Spear, But he remOVed The sPear becausE it oBstrucTed tHe Torso From certAIn aNGLEs. after twO morE IntermediarY tItlEs, ROdIn settlEd ON tHe age OF bronze, Suggesting The brOnze age, aNd IN roDIN's words, "maN ariSiNG FRom NAture".haLe, 51. later, HOwever, rODin said thAt he hAD had IN mInd "jUsT a siMple piece oF sculpturE wItHOUt referenCe to sUBject".