REFECTION PAPER ON AUGUSTE RODIN

The documentary talked about the Sculptor, and Modeller first, Auguste Rodin. This
artist’s life and works highlights were thoroughly analysed because he left us as the father of
Modern Sculpture.
His life as an artist was never a smooth sail. Only at the beginning of his career, he
already received huge negative critiques in regards of his sculpture “Age of Bronze” which was
ahead of its time, characteristic that demonstrates itself persistent throughout his artistic career.
Back then he was a pioneer, he encouraged a dialogue between the viewer and
sculpture, he believed that we as artists were not creators; we are created from nature and,
thus, must follow its rules and rebel against classicism and academic studies.
Later in his life, Rodin got the recognition he deserved but all too late because his
confidence as an artist already suffered a huge backlash due to many unconstructive criticism.

Auguste Rodin’s work

The Age of Bronze – this piece represented what Rodin believed in which is to let the
statue speak for itself. What was controversial here is the fact that it depicted an anonymous
soldier which broke away from the standard of a mythical creature or a person with historical
relevance. But much more than this, it displayed a man that looked like it was holding a spear,
but the intentional absence of it drew the viewer’s focus unto the statue elevating its presence
and bringing it to life. The technique and concept were in per se revolutionary but not at fault,
the statue felt so vibrant that Rodin was accused of creating the soldier’s mould which turned
out to be false. As the saying “History is always written by the winners” goes, Rodin may be
viewed as the loser while the critique mob the winner, without tangible proof he would have
been defenceless under those accusations.
The Walking Man – this piece was made many years later than the Age of Bronze, but it
shares with it the concept of letting the statue speak for itself. This statue was controversial in
the way that it went against the current techniques but it was still received very well by the
viewers. The Walking Man is a statue depicting a man walking, but what differentiates it from
the rest id the fact that Rodin decided to make it headless and armless, drawing the focus on
the “moving legs” and the prominent torso. This was so innovative that many could not
understand but later on, this work was taken in as inspiration by newer artists which decided to
do the same.

Monument to Balzac – Rodin was commissioned to make a statue in honour of Balzac, a

great writer of the time. Stripped of the writer’s usual attributes, his Balzac was not so much a
portrait but a powerful evocation of the visionary genius whose gaze dominated the world, of the
inspired creator draped in the monk’s habit he used to wear when writing. This overly innovative
monument caused such an outrage when it was unveiled in 1898 that the commission was
cancelled. Rodin never saw his monument cast in bronze. To Rodin’s defence I only have to say
that he was a misunderstood genius, he had a visionary mind which went above normal
concepts. Only time could demonstrate the grandeur of his legacy, time has shown his
greatness, bitterly past his lifetime.