In 1898, the French sculptor Auguste Rodin (1840-1917) finished his Monument to Balzac in bronze. The innovative monument was attacked by critics, some even called it a “monstrosity.” Yet, Edward Steichen was an admirer of the sculpture from the first time he saw a picture of it in a newspaper. When he stayed in Paris from 1900 to 1902, Steichen became friends with Rodin. In October 1908, Rodin invited Steichen back to his studio in Meudon to photograph his Balzac. For two nights, Steichen photographed the sculpture in the moonlight.