Auguste Rodin

Breaking the mould

A Portrait of Auguste Rodin

François Auguste René Rodin was a French sculptor with a daring approach and unique ability to model complex human emotions.

Born in 1840 into a working-class family in Paris, he began to draw at the age of 10 and was largely self-educated. Between the ages 14 and 17, he attended a school specialising in art and maths. His art teacher believed in first developing the personality of his students so that they observed with their own eyes and recreated their observation from memory.

Refused entrance to the prestigious École des Beaux-Arts for his unusual style, Rodin escaped the rigid Neoclassical training that still dominated its curriculum in the mid-1850s, but forfeited the early success that École graduates were ordinarily assured.

Instead, Rodin served a long and difficult apprenticeship as a modeller to Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse in Paris. He followed Carrier-Belleuse to Belgium where he modelled a number of decorative female figures to which he signed his own name. In 1876, Rodin travelled to Italy. He was deeply impressed by the work of Michelangelo, which would influence him for years to come.

Many of Rodin’s most notable sculptures were criticized, as they clashed with tradition. Although he was sensitive to the controversy surrounding his work, he bravely refused to change his style. His creations, brimming with emotion and sensitivity, brought increasing favour from both the government and the artistic community.

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. Rodin’s students included Antoine Bourdelle, Constantin Brâncuși and Charles Despiau.

Rodin’s Sculpture ‘The Kiss’

 

Would you love to draw like Rodin? Join us for our 10 week All-Abilities course and explore wide range of mediums and artistic styles. These art classes are suitable for all abilities, including complete beginners. We explore everything from architecture to portraits, using pencils, charcoal, pastels, watercolour, gouache and acrylics.

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