Auguste Rodin (1840-1917) work freed sculpture from the current idealizing conventions by its realistic treatment of the human figure, introducing a new boldness of style and expression.

Short Biography:

Examples are Le Penseur/The Thinker 1880, Le Baiser/The Kiss in 1886 (marble version in the Louvre, Paris), and Les Bourgeois de CalaislThe Burghers of Calais 1885-1895 (copy in Embankment Gardens, Westminster, London).

Rodin started as a mason, began to study in museums and in 1875 visited Italy, where he gained a great admiration for Michelangelo. His early statue Bronze Age in 1877 (many replicas) was criticized for its total naturalism and accuracy.

In 1880 he began the monumental bronze Gates of Hell for the Ecole des Arts Decoratifs in Paris (inspired by Gbiberti's bronze gates in Florence), a project that occupied him for many years and was unfinished at his death. Many of the figures designed for the gate became independent sculptures.

During the 1890s he received two notable public commissions, for statues of the writers Balzac in 1897 (Musee Rodin, Paris) and Hugo. He also produced many drawings.

Why is Auguste Rodin famous?

Auguste Rodin was a French sculptor, considered the greatest of his time.

Auguste Rodin Lists

	1840 births
	1917 deaths
	People from Paris
	Auguste Rodin
	French sculptors
	French printmakers
	Modern sculptors
	Grand Officiers of the Légion d'honneur

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Auguste Rodin Pictures

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Tags: sculptor, expression, bronze age

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Category: Artists  - ( Artists Archive)

Date Added: 07 June '12

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