Auguste Rodin is considered one of the great French sculptors of the 20th century. At one time he was a real innovator. His sculptures, full of expression, awakened emotions and called for intellect.
early years
Francois Auguste Rene Rodin was born on November 12, 1840 in Paris. Was the second child in the family. The craving for the fine arts woke up in him in childhood. Drawing was my favorite subject at school. As a teenager, Auguste became interested in sculpture. He tried to enter the School of Fine Arts, but failed the entrance test. By that time, Rodin had finished works. And the failure at admission shocked his acquaintances, who admired his creations. And the reason for the failure was Auguste's informal view of art. Even then, he gravitated towards innovation.
To earn a living and be able to get an education, Rodin had to work in the workshops of famous sculptors. There he acquired the necessary skills and abilities.
In 1864, Rodin showed his work "The Man with a Broken Nose" at the Paris Salon, a prestigious annual art exhibition. However, the event experts dismissed his work as "very close to reality." At that time, it was believed that sculpture should only depict something ideal, and Auguste deliberately violated the established canons.
Vocation and famous sculptures
In 1877, Rodin presented the work "Bronze Age", depicting a naked man. The public and critics praise the creation. Indeed, the man's figure turned out to be so perfect that there were rumors that the master cast it right on the sitter's body. Rumors spread throughout Paris. Rodin was supported by many artists, and the public began to show an increasing interest in his work.
In 1880, Auguste received a large state order for the manufacture of the gate of the future Museum of Decorative and Applied Arts. He called his work "The Gates of Hell". In it, he portrayed the entire life of mankind, all his sins, emotions and misfortunes. Rodin did this in such an unusual way that the doors were not used for their intended purpose and later took a place in the museum. Auguste was so inspired by the plot that he continued to sculpt new sculptures for this gate, among which: "Adam and Eve", "The Thinker", "The Kiss".
In 1895, Rodin presented the work Citizens of Calais. Unlike the "Gates of Hell", this creation took its rightful place in Paris. The sculpture captures the tragic moment of the Hundred Years War. Six people surrender to the enemy to save their hometown. And each figure symbolizes a certain feeling: pain, courage, humility. To fully appreciate this work by Rodin, it is necessary to go around it in a circle, to catch all the movements of the characters.
Auguste Rodin undoubtedly revolutionized sculpture. His works shocked his contemporaries with distortions of figures, exaggeration of some features. Rodin's innovative approach to sculpture influenced many young artists of the early 20th century. Despite criticism, he was recognized as a great master during his lifetime.
