Auguste Rodin

Victor Hugo, de Face (State 5), Impressionist Etching by Auguste Rodin

1885

Auguste Rodin was a French sculptor widely regarded as the father of modern sculpture. Breaking away from the idealized forms of classical sculpture, Rodin introduced a more naturalistic, emotionally charged style that emphasized texture, movement, and human emotion. His work often explored themes of love, struggle, and the human condition. Rodin's most iconic works include The Thinker, The Kiss, and The Gates of Hell, many of which began as smaller studies and evolved into monumental masterpieces. His innovative approach to form, fragmentation, and surface detail challenged traditional academic norms and set a new direction for modern sculpture. Despite initial criticism and controversy, Rodin’s work was eventually celebrated as groundbreaking, and he achieved widespread recognition during his lifetime. Today, his sculptures are displayed in major museums and public spaces worldwide, symbolizing the transition from classical to modern art.