Edward Steichen discovered the Balzac by Rodin on a page in a local Milwaukee newspaper: "It looked like a mountain coming to life. I felt an urge to go to Paris."He did this in 1900 but did not meet Rodin until 1901. The two men immediately took a liking to each other, and when Rodin wanted to have the Balzac photographed, he turned to Steichen among others. At the request of Rodin, the young artist worked through the night, moving his camera to follow the trajectory of the moon. After staying up all night, several weeks were needed to obtain a night effect on the prints. The enthusiastic Rodin told him, "Your photographs will make the world understand my Balzac".

Photograph printed on baryta paper 30x24 cm.

Presented in a pochette, accompanied by a history of the work. 

Edward Steichen (1879-1973) Towards the Light, Midnight, 1908
H. 19.3; W. 21.2 cm
A. Rodin donation, 1916
Paris, Rodin Museum, Inv. Ph. 226