George MinneBelgian, 1866–1941Kneeling Youth
Can I see it?
Yes, on view now
Where is “Kneeling Youth” now? Art Institute of Chicago, Gallery 246, Chicago. Yes, on view now. Checked September 29, 2026.
Chicago, United States
Closed· opens at 11:00 AM
On public display.
- Checked
- In this state since
- Source
- The museum
About the sculpture
A gaunt young man kneels with his head lowered and his arms wrapped tightly around himself. His posture indicates physical and psychological self-enclosure, but it is unclear whether the composition embodies grief, resignation, torment, or even languor. Sculptor George Minne was celebrated in his lifetime for skillfully conveying of emotional states. This work’s ambiguity reflects the artist’s interest in Symbolism, a movement that prized indeterminate meaning and personal interpretation. This plaster was probably included in the 1900 Vienna Secession exhibition, a key venue for the display of avant-garde art and design.
Art Institute of ChicagoCC BY 4.0
Details
- Accession number
- 2021.274
What it shows
In the catalog
Sources
- Art Institute of Chicago
- Image: Art Institute of Chicago — © the artist or rights holder
