Rodin: A Biography

by Frederic V. Grunfeld

Auguste Rodin (1840-1917) was not only the world’s greatest sculptor, known for such works as The Thinker, The Kiss, The Hand of God, and dozens of others, but also one of the most remarkable personalities of modern an artist who outraged contemporaries with his disturbingly unfinished monuments; a sensualist who shocked France with his scandalous relationships; and a friend to the most gifted writers and artists of his day.“A consistently absorbing story... Mr. Grunfeld is primarily concerned with setting out — insofar as they can be separated from the art — the facts of the sculptor’s life, and within his chosen limits he has written a rewarding and illuminating book.” — John Gross, The New York Times“An excellent job... will undoubtedly serve as an excellent biography of the artist.” — Benedict Read, The New York Times“Rodin finally has a biography worthy of his achievements.” — Washington Post Book World“Grunfeld’s rigorously researched and gracefully written biography of Rodin is, by far, the best in its field.” — Robert Taylor, Boston Globe“Rodin’s creative life is vividly recaptured [by Grunfeld]... No previous biography has so clearly placed him amid his colleagues and assorted friends — Victor Hugo, George Bernard Shaw, Rainer Maria Rilke, Marie Curie, James McNeill Whistler, Robert Louis Stevenson, Isadora Duncan, and many others. Nor has any placed him in the raking light of his vanity, many amours (an epic in itself) and the sexual instincts inseparable from his work.” — Cleveland Plain Dealer“Grunfeld has rescued Rodin from the twin mythic images of heroic, possessed demigod or sex-obsessed bohemian... This remarkably intimate portrait should win awards.” — Publishers Weekly“Grunfeld's book shines out. It is an excellent general biography... seamlessly written and almost un-put-downable. He skilfully covers not only Rodin's personal history but also his work and the world he lived in.” — Benedict Read, The Spectator“A vibrant biography of the great French sculptor... With all the naturalistic detail of Zola and the color of canvases by Monet, Grunfeld chronicles Rodin’s rocky career... That this exhaustive book is never dull is something of a feat... Grunfeld’s Rodin, modeled in high relief against his place and time, emerges not so much a statuary monument as a three-dimensional man.” — Kirkus Review“Well researched... A marvelous roster of personalities, politicians, writers, and artists of the time pass through the pages of the book, placing Rodin in the mainstream of the cultural life of the Third Republic.” — Gerald M. Ackerman, Los Angeles Times

Genres: Art, Biography, History, Nonfiction, France, Art and Photography

738 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1987

Reviews

[Chrissie · Rating 4 out of 5]

ETA:I always forget something!!! So, I am adding this. There is more humor than just that of the different opinions of Rodin's artwork, its sexuality, its cut morceaux and interchanged titles. In one of the studios Rodin had no doors on the apprentices' rooms. Pets were free to come and go. What about a Newfoundland sleeping next to you in your bed?! This was a huge surprise to one new apprentice. There is no way this book can be judged as a textbook, even if it is chock-full of details. These details are what make the book good. You see I am still thinking about this delightful and informative book.

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I picked up this book because I wanted to understand the personality of the sculptor Auguste Rodin (1840-1917). I definitely got that from this book. I also got a comprehensive study of all his busts, monuments, drawings and sculptures. The book is filled with quotes, which are extensively noted. (In the audiobook these notes are read as they come up.) You hear both complimentary and negative views on the artist and his artwork. The story moves forward chronologically, thus you see how his personality changed with time. You see how his artwork changed and how the world around him changed. You learn what it was that made Rodin Rodin and which aspects of his personality never changed.

There is humor, particularly when you listen to the different views voiced. Night and day. Lovers and haters. The author rarely comments on what others say, but both positive and negative views are voiced.

I don't know where to start. It seems hopeless to say in a few words what makes Rodin Rodin. He was a man that saw the beauty of women and he appreciated their sexuality, though the word “appreciate” is just so lacking in passion! Rodin further convinces me that although artists are wonderful, they are impossible to live with. All his life he had affairs with numerous women, but he never left his first love Rose. He married her on his deathbed..... and within a year both were dead. He never acknowledged their son.

The techniques Rodin employed in producing his artwork is also discussed. When he drew his eyes never looked at the paper; they were glued to that being drawn. He added pieces of clay more often than extracting pieces. He constantly altered. He wouldn’t stop until he was satisfied. He loved nature and saw it in a finger, a hand, an arm, in movement and stillness; in shadow and sun. And the names of his artwork, he changed them over and over again. The name was not the essential.

This book is for me a clear four star book. I don't see it as a text book; it is too interesting and too amusing. Parts are scandalous, and the uproar that ensues is exciting! BUT, the book is extremely comprehensive and much is illustrated through copious quotes. The book not only teaches about Rodin but also the entire art world of the latter 19th Century and the first 17 years of the 20th. Very many artists and musicians and authors are covered - just about all the ones you can possibly think of and then add many, many more which you have never heard of! At times I got lost, when I didn't recognize enough of the names. As usual, the more you know before picking up a book, the more you will enjoy the details. You have something to fasten on to.

Now a word about the narration by the famed Simon Vance. I thought Vance could read anything. Here his narration was a total disappointment. In fact I was often extremely annoyed. His French just plain sucks. Sorry for being so darn blunt, but there is the truth. He mispronounces French words, and there are lots of them. I would have to try and guess what he could possibly be trying to say. Cities and known artists are almost unrecognizable. Maybe I would have recognized more of the artists if I had been given proper pronunciations. Reims sounds like "reams" rhyming with "seams". The correct pronunciation is closer to "ranse". I am just mentioning ONE example! Rodin spent seven years in Brussels. Vance's pronunciations are so incorrect it totally threw me. I know Brussels! I have lived there. He also uses different pronunciations for the very same word, so it is difficult to "translate" what he could possible mean. I absolutely hated the lousy narration. I will never listen to another book by Vance if he has to speak French words. Never. Do you hear how annoyed I am? IF you want to make an audiobook version of a written book that has many French words, then get someone who speaks French properly! Four stars is for the written book, not the audiobook narrated by Simon Vance.

[Jeffrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another overview of Rodin, his life and works:
https://rodinmuseum.org

What an interesting, amazing, eccentric, robust, talent rich man. I was impressed with his i did it my way approach, turning neither to the the right nor to the left in the face of criticism/opinion. I was impressed with his libido, but it seemed to be motivated by passion for beauty and had a more noble than carnal character as described here. Interesting how talent put him in touch with others with talent from camille Claudel, to victor hugo (annoyed him) robert louis stevenson, Claude Monet ( Rodin slighted him at a mutual show, was not very nice to Monet) to pope Benedict ( too busy to sit long for his bust, which i rather admire in a pope, self aggrandizement took a back seat to papal duties)

Lots of notes in the audiobook with their accompanying audio clips.

[Mike Augustine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to an audiobook format. This book was loaded with relational anecdotes that, for me, detracted from the subject, Rodin himself. Indeed, there was enough information about Rodin and his exploits for me, just too much of everything else. The audiobook performance was good, but flawed due to background voices, possibly other readers on numerous occasions.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very long biography, but one worth reading if you are a huge Rodin fan. To study in depth his thinking and actions based on his thoughts and values.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book but I keep getting reminded that maybe I don't want to know too much about people. I saw an exhibit at the National Gallery in 1981 and it amazed me. This book has convinced me I would not like Rodin the man but I can still view The Burghers of Calais with wonder.
This was my night time audio book. Not quite 4 months to do 27 hours.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

An excellent biography of Rodin. This book is exhaustive in the research, names and events that make up Rodin's life.

It captures the great in Rodin, the rudeness and conceit of Rodin, the angel in Rodin.

This is the way to write a artist's biography. I love knowing the way an artist's life intertwines into their art.

[Caroline Sklivas]

Looking forward to this one, for 2 reasons : I’ll be in Paris in January and will definitely be visiting one of my favourite places, the Rodin museum. AND, when I finish this book, I’ll have met my reading challenge for the year - 12 books. I’m so pleased with myself … so happy to be such a bookworm.

[Lilian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best biography written on Rodin.

[Cristina Contilli]

Riprendendo la testimonianza di Jessie Lipscomb secondo cui Camille Claudel aveva avuto due figli non riconosciuti da Rodin l'autore di questa biografia ipotizza che si sia trattato di 2 gemelli, un'ipotesi che a me sembra piuttosto verosimile, considerando che nel marzo del 1888 Camille lascia Parigi e a va a trovare, questa volta non in compsgnia della Lipscomb e del fratello Paul come 2 anni prima, ma da sola l'amica inglese Florence Jeans, il cui padre era un medico... potrebbe dunque Camille aver partorito in Inghilterra ed essere poi tornata a Parigi con i gemelli sperando così di inchiodare Rodin alle proprie responsabilità?

[Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enthralling and in-depth look at the sculptor's life. A detailed, intelligent and honest look at both Rodin's life and work.

[Richard Rowland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Long story.

[M]

May read out of interest in sculptor Camille Claudel.

[Virginia]

More detail that I really wanted to know about Rodin! Didn't finish.