Rodin: sculpture and drawings: [catalogue of] an exhibition organized by the Arts Council of Great Britain and the Association Française d'Action ... Gallery, London, 24 January to 5 April 1970

by Auguste Rodin

Rodin was considered the most famous sculptor of his time, not only in France but throughout Europe, America, and Australia. The expressive liberty and emotional intensity of Rodinís figures had an enormous impact on the culture and the art of the entire twentieth century. This compact book illustrates a significant group of works which represent Rodinís entire artistic career: sculptures, drawings, and watercolors, as well as contemporary photographs.

The selection of sculpture is supplemented by outstanding drawings made by Rodin around 1900, at the height of his career. The presentation of these exciting works on paper along with the sculptures gives insight into Rodinís working process. They also reveal a more intense and less dramatic side of his genius.

The book includes contributions by J–rg Zutter, Antoinette Le Normand-Romain, Claudie Judrin, Jaynie Anderson, and Paul Paffen.

119 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 1970

About the author

Auguste Rodin (born François-Auguste-René Rodin) was a French artist, most famous as a sculptor. He was the preeminent French sculptor of his time, and remains one of the few sculptors widely recognized outside the visual arts community.

Although Rodin is generally considered the progenitor of modern sculpture, he did not set out to rebel against the past. He was schooled traditionally, took a craftsman-like approach to his work, and desired academic recognition, although he was never accepted into Paris's foremost school of art. Sculpturally, he possessed a unique ability to model a complex, turbulent, deeply pocketed surface in clay.

Many of Rodin's most notable sculptures were roundly criticized during his lifetime. They clashed with the predominant figure sculpture tradition, in which works were decorative, formulaic, or highly thematic. Rodin's most original work departed from traditional themes of mythology and allegory, modeled the human body with realism, and celebrated individual character and physicality. Rodin was sensitive to the controversy about his work, but did not change his style, and successive works brought increasing favor from the government and the artistic community.

From the unexpected realism of his first major figure—inspired by his 1875 trip to Italy—to the unconventional memorials whose commissions he later sought, Rodin's reputation grew. By 1900, he was a world-renowned artist. Wealthy private clients sought Rodin's work after his World's Fair exhibit, and he kept company with a variety of high-profile intellectuals and artists. He married his life-long companion, Rose Beuret, in the last year of both their lives. His sculpture suffered a decline in popularity after his death in 1917, but within a few decades his legacy solidified.

Reviews

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and easy catalogue of Rodin. Good pictures, some nice context and the descriptions of individual works are decent.

My only exposure to Rodin has been from an exhibition that ran from May to November 2021 at Tate Modern, focusing on his use of plaster casts and studio practices, along with seeing isolated examples of his work across other galleries and museums. As an intro, this works well.

Did not realise Rodin’s artistic connection to Dante (going to gave to see his ‘Gates of Hell’ in Paris). Moreover, surprised he did a portrait of George Wyndham.

The Burghers Of Calais was another highlight. It commemorates the sacrifice of six prominent citizens who offered their lives to save their besieged city in 1347 during the Hundred Years' War. A cast exists in London outside of Westminster.