Auguste Rodin

"Auguste Rodin" is an essay written by Rainer Maria Rilke, a poet and novelist from Bohemia-Austria. Rilke's interpretation of Rodin's work has been praised by the sculptor himself as the ultimate understanding of his art. Auguste Rodin, a French sculptor who lived from 1840 to 1917, is widely regarded as the pioneer of modern sculpture. Despite being trained in traditional methods and aspiring to gain recognition in the academic art world, Rodin developed a unique style characterized by intricate and deeply textured surfaces in his clay sculptures. He depicted the human body with remarkable realism, emphasizing individuality and physicality. Rodin's reputation soared as he created unconventional memorials and continued to push artistic boundaries. By 1900, he had become a renowned sculptor known worldwide for his groundbreaking work.