They felt it was unfinished. It is like no traditional bust. Yet because of the break, it is reminiscent of the sculptures recovered from antiquity. This quality gives the work an apparent age and appeal. It is perhaps the artist's equivalent to a furniture builder creating modern furniture in distressed pine.
Age holds a certain appeal, for it is comfortable, the brokenness and imperfection pleasing.
In the mid 1870's Rodin made a visit to Italy. Viewing the works of great sculptors of the past proved inspirational to him. This in itself, for so detailed a sculpture, is profoundly significant. Gradually the brilliance of his work received recognition. Rodin created a number of separate sculptures, but never finished the monument.