This paper talks about some of the works of Auguste Rodin in regards to their detailed compositions like texture, color, form, and material.
Auguste Rodin
Auguste Rodin was a French sculptor in the modern era who did not rebel against the past. Unlike other artists who deliberately changed their ways and created masterpieces that had undertones of mockery of the previous period, Rodin remained a traditional sculptor and took a craftsman-like approach to his works. He possessed a unique ability to work on complex materials. Most of his famous sculptures, departed from the traditional themes of mythology allegory, were criticized which made him become sensitive towards his critics. Nevertheless, he continued on his style, far away from the used-to-be thematic sculpture of the predominant figures of the past, and celebrated realism and individualism. As time went by, accompanied by a series of works, his stature in the artists' social ladder increased a few notches higher and gained increased favor from the government and the artists' community.
The Age of Bronze
One of Rodin's works that troubled the critics and enticed them to lambast him for not having a concrete theme was The Age of Bronze. Speculations were in the air that Rodin intentionally sculpted his work without a theme. But due to its realistic and lively figure, it gained the attention of many, which also fueled the critics to accuse him of surmoulage. He strongly denied the accusation and defended his work. He wrote and presented photographs of his model to newspapers to show how the sculpture differed.
The Age of Bronze became one of Rodin's most famous works due to the controversy it brought to the eyes of the critics. The intricacy of the details of a man's nude body, held an unconventional pose, was sculpted well-enough for it to look alive. It takes a genuinely brilliant artist to be able to sculpt a bronze material and still come up with a realistic form of a nude man. Tagged with perfect lights and shadows, they made the sculpture an intriguing work of art, which eventually led to being bought by the state. The sculpture was purchased for 2,200 francs. Rodin drew inspiration for his first full-scale sculpture from Michelangelo's Dying Slave and was shown at the Paris Salon in 1877. (Rilke & Rodin, 2004, 27)
St. John the Baptist Preaching
St. John the Baptist Preaching is Rodin's second full-scale work and again a nude man. Due to the charge of surmoulage for his previous work, he made his second piece bigger than a life-size statue. The statue gives an appeal that he is walking towards the audience while both feet are on the ground. The odd positions of Rodin's works became his signature. The peculiar sense of movement of Rodin's model was captured in his product.
Rodin's interpretation of St. John the Baptist is a man preaching while walking. Although it may appear that the stance of the man is a bit odd, since both feet are on the ground, it depicts a walk of a determined man, emotionally firmed on his preaching. Rodin later explained how he came up with the two phases of a stride in order to suggest a movement. It is evident in the sculpture that the man, St. John, is preaching to a group and his conviction is noticed. According to studies, the form of the model was excellently sculpted with an outstanding delivery of its message. The shadows on the ribs, the details on the facial expression, and the positioning of the muscles on the legs portray a man who gives a firm stance on his preaching. (Rilke & Rodin, 2004, 49)
Conclusion
In spite of Rodin's obsession with myths, he was able to give a fresher appeal to ancient art, which made him a progenitor of modern sculpture. His ability to create life-like sculptures and combine them with his technique of extreme physical states made him become a very important figure in the history of the art of the modern era. His technical skills and characteristics as someone who takes his audience to their boundaries make him a powerful artist of his time.
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