Book Description

Book Description

Auguste Rodin (1840-1917), whose status as the greatest sculptor of the late nineteenth century is undisputed, belongs among the few artists whose fame is based equally upon public and critical acclaim.Rodin's espousal of the erotic, his depiction of it in a bewildering variety of manifestations, is the leitmotiv that unites his vast oeuvre of sculptures and drawings.Woman's sexuality appears in Rodin's work as both threat and challenge, but also as the source of all creative inspiration and passion.

Selected sculptures have been rephotographed specially for this book. Superbly reproduced, and supplemented by color illustrations of some of the artist's late drawings - many of them published here for the first time - they constitute a fascinating visual essay on the theme of the erotic in Rodin's work.

Exploring the ramifications of eros in Rodin's sculpture and drawing, wide-ranging essays address such topics as the nature of the fragment and its role in Rodin's work, the artist's relationship to the model, his religiosity, and his influence both on his contemporaries and on artists throughout the twentieth century.

In word and image, this volume offers fresh insight into the work of a man who, perhaps more than any other visual artist, embodied Baudelaire's and Nietzche's concept of the modern genius as one whose stature is based on a combination of inventiveness, passion, and disturbing originality. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Heavy on the Art, But a Bit Confusing on the Eyes
I saw this book at the CMA and thought I'd write a review since no one has done so yet. This book is very nice for a paperback. Most of the writing, which I didn't really look at, was in the beginning of the book with the rest focusing primarily on reproductions of his sculpture. There were some photos of Rodin and the customary biographical information and a huge amount of reproductions of his work, most of which are good, but some are from angles that are not the best and some of the details are a bit confusing. With work like Rodin's that showcases a balance between the primitive and refined, it is important to get a clear shot in order to understand what it is that you are looking at. Some of the reproductions, while beautiful, are a bit confusing from that standpoint. Otherwise, a good book. I'll probably buy it myself someday, when I'm no longer a starving artist. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Beautiful image filled collection of Rodin's creations.
This book contains many wonderful pieces, as well as providing details of Rodin's life during the time he created these enchanting works. I love to turn each page, because his collection always remain fresh and exciting...Jasmine ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Rodin and the Fragmented Form
"Rodin: A Passion for Movement" by Dominique Jarrasse is an objective exploration of Rodin's major works based on three dimensions; movement, (as the title suggests), light and shade and the fragmented figure. These elements are explored through articulate text and beautiful, high-resolution photographs and drawings. The focus of the book is on Rodin's motivation and his alchemist method of modeling his figures to achieve the exact postures, which would give the sculpture a sense of movement. He paid an enormous amount of attention to the interplay between light and shade, taking from the masters, most notably Michelangelo. However, a great deal of controvesy surrounded Rodin's work based on his constant rejection from the academic community. In spite of his mastery, Rodin wasn't accepted because of his affinity for the fragmented figure, which he saw as a finished piece of work. This notion was affirmed by his quote, "I will never again make anything complete. I will make only antiques."(P. 46) The book begins with an analysis of "The Burghers of Calais", a monument to the six martyrs who surrendered the keys to the city of Calais to King Edward III during the Hundred Years War. The author explores the psychological undertones of each of the six men and Rodin's efforts to exact the pain and distress felt by these heroic men. Rodin paid close attention to the facial expressions of each of these figures in an effort to personify the different emotions these men and this monument symbolize. He chose a circular composition to depict the moment where these men were walking to the town hall, to meet King Edward and to meet death, creating a sense of eternal movement. Rodin established himself in the art world at the age of forty with a commission for the Musee des Arts Decoratifs. He found inspiration for this grandiose work from Dante's "Inferno", which he titled "The Gates of Hell." This work became "essentially an ode to sculpture" (p. 53) and took over twenty years for him to create. He reused fragments from other works that he created and many of his more famous works are found in this sculpture. At the top sits "The Thinker", which was Rodin's depiction of Dante. Rodin said, "His head on his fist, he wonders. Fertile thoughts slowly rise in his mind. He is not a dreamer. He is a creator." (p.90) Rodin was constantly studying and revising his fragmented forms. In Rodin's opinion these fragments were the essence to his work. Gustave Kahn explained, "The fragment is beautiful in itself, and the study of the fragment, a useful and legitimate thing." (p. 210) Throughout the book, the author includes a variety of photographs, however it would have been more informative had the author included many more of these studies and variations on each work.

Superb collection of photographs
This large-format book really does justice to Rodin's work, with a very large number of photographs covering all his major works, often from several perspectives.

Good descriptions of Rodin's pieces
This book depicts most of his major works with many color photographs. Likewise, a short narrative accompanies each photo describing the artist's inspiration, background and overall effect of each piece. A good book to accompany any novice wanting to learn more on Rodin. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Small but comprehensive
Although largely biographical, it covers most of his important pieces and their impact on his life and the art of that era. But, what I love about the book are the beautifully written prose of (the poet) Rainer Maria Rilke and his commentary about particular pieces, that can't be found in print elsewhere. Particularly striking is Rilke's commentary on Rodin's The Burghers of Calais in the first several pages, which gives a dynamic piece its true emotional content. This is what makes this small book unique. Coffee table sized books on Rodin will give more satisfying visual reproduction of Rodin's works and probably provide more critical commentary on the meaning of individual works, but this small book does have rather unusual content. It has sections in the back on the lost wax technique and excerpts of letters and interesting photographs of Rodin at work in his studio and imposing his enormous ego over the works that made him one of the most important sculptors since antiquity.

very biographical but not criticle enough!
A very interesting biography on rodins work and his personel life and how this, through the path of time reflected in his work. Although laking in criticle views and historical context of what his influenses were (apart from that of Michelangelo)it did mention the possible influence that Camille Claudel had on him.

A great little book
I have dozens of books on Rodin and this is one of my favorites. Great, though small, photographs, concise text and even a nifty section in the back of the book with copies of letters to Rodin as well as a thoughtful explanation of the bronze casting and transfer to marble processes. It's inexpensive and compact as well. Excellent! ... Read more

Book Description

The late Albert Elsen was the first American scholar to study seriously the work of the French sculptor Auguste Rodin, and the person most responsible for a revival of interest in the artist as a modern innovator--after years during which the sculpture had been dismissed as so much Victorian bathos.After a fortuitous meeting with the financier, philanthropist, and art collector B. Gerald Cantor, Elsen helped Cantor to build up a major collection of Rodin's work.A large part of this collection, consisting of more than 200 pieces, was donated to the Stanford Museum by Mr. Cantor, who died recently.In size it is surpassed only the by the Musee Rodin in Paris and rivaled only by the collection in Philadelphia.In scope the collection is unique in having been carefully selected to present a balanced view of Rodin's work throughout his life. Rodin's Art encompasses a lifetime's thoughts on Rodin's career, surveying the artist's accomplishments through the detailed discussion of each object in the collection. It will begin with essays on the formation of the collection, the reception of Rodin's work, and his casting techniques. The entries that follow are arranged topically and include extensive discussions of Rodin's major projects. ... Read more

Book Description

The work of the master French sculptor Auguste Rodin (1840-1917) is instantly recognizable throughout the world. This is due in no small part to the proselytizing efforts of B. Gerald Cantor (1916-1996), widely acknowledged as the preeminent collector and proponent of Rodin in America during the second half of the twentieth century. He purchased his first piece, a bronze of The Hand of God, in 1946, after being profoundly moved by seeing a marble version of it at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. For five decades, Cantor focused all of his efforts on researching and acquiring works by Rodin. Joined by his wife, Iris, in 1977, they built the largest and most comprehensive private collection of Rodin sculpture, drawings, prints, photographs, and memorabilia. Of the approximately 750 works that the Cantors collected, including casts of each of Rodin's major monuments, The Monument to Balzac, The Gates of Hell, The Burghers of Calais and The Monument to Victor Hugo, 450 have been given away to over 70 museums around the world. Lavishly illustrated, Rodin: A Magnificent Obsession chronicles the growth of the collection, offering a comprehensive overview that includes works bequeathed to the Cantor Foundation from the Cantor personal collection, as well as new insights into Rodin's working methods and the histories of his most famous masterpieces. ... Read more

Book Description

Auguste Rodin-the most famous artist in the world at the turn of the twentieth century-led a life as sensational and intense as the great sculptures he created. In this major reinterpretation of Rodin`s life and times, the accomplished Rodin scholar Ruth Butler draws for the first time on closely guarded archives and letters to disentangle the facts of this legendary artist`s life from the many myths that have grown up around him. Lavishly illustrated, the book also provides new interpretations of the motivations, execution, and reception of Rodin`s extraordinary artistic creations. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

A STORMY RELATIONSHIP
Books have been written and films produced about the stormy relationship between sculptor Auguste Rodin and promising sculptress Camille Claudel. Few liaisons have been as artistically fruitful or as emotionally turbulent.

In an attempt to freshly evaluate her work, this concise volume examines Claudel's impact upon Rodin's work, her family background, and her tragic descent into mental instability.

According to most biographers, Rodin's affection for Claudel continued even after their final separation as he continued to use her as a model. Perhaps the most poignant reminder of her is found in "The Thought," a pale, melancholy study.

Rich with illustrations by of works by both Rodin and Claudel, this title sheds new light on one of the most dramatic partnerships in the world of art.

- Gail Cooke

A Refreshing Look at an all-too-politicized relationship
I found this book engaging and very interesting. The relationship between Claudel and Rodin is examined fully and with an eye to historical accuracy. Though some may wish to champion the cause of an artist largely unrecognized in important critical scholarship, such politicization of an historical event to meet modern aims is untenable at best. For those seeking an honest, thoughtful account of a dynamic and difficult relationship between a premier artist and an aspiring sculptor this book is worth the read. The reproductions are dazzling in quality and the design is pleasing and neat.

downgrading Claudel to a copy of Rodin
Camille Claudel was too genuine, too proud an artist to ever allow her work to be a copy of Rodin's. Who knows maybe it should be the other way: Rodin copying Claudel...

An uninspired work that lacks insight.
Schmoll has taken the party line on this piece and looks at every reason to discredit Claudel to the benefit of Rodin. Criticism of Claudel goes so far as to imply that her best works could have been touched up by Rodin. Schmoll even takes time to nitpick at Claudel's looks, pointing out that they were marred by a "weak" chin. From the beginning Schmoll compares the work of a young girl's in her 20's to that of a man in his 40's. It is one of the poorest critical studies of an artist that this reader has ever read. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Fabulous Biography
It is hard to believe that this book did not engender more attention or acclaim. It is absolutely the best I have ever read on Rodin the man and the artist. His life and background is presented in remarkable detail and photographs of many of his most famous works are presented.

His views on religion, love, sex, France, art - everything is here for the asking. His workings and interaction with the many artists are captured, and this is especially important since this was a particularly vibrant and intellectually fertile time in the history of art. His love for France and for all things French is expressed over and over. His letters give us a glimpse into the "real" man, the artist who finally married his lover toward the end of their lives. He was the man who challenged the world, leading the army of Romanticism forward, only to be called old-fashioned and out of date when he refused to change with the times. What a life and what a book! ... Read more

Book Description

Rodin was considered the most famous sculptor of his time, not only in France but throughout Europe, America, and Australia. The expressive liberty and emotional intensity of Rodinís figures had an enormous impact on the culture and the art of the entire twentieth century. This compact book illustrates a significant group of works which represent Rodinís entire artistic career: sculptures, drawings, and watercolors, as well as contemporary photographs.

The selection of sculpture is supplemented by outstanding drawings made by Rodin around 1900, at the height of his career. The presentation of these exciting works on paper along with the sculptures gives insight into Rodinís working process. They also reveal a more intense and less dramatic side of his genius.

The book includes contributions by J–rg Zutter, Antoinette Le Normand-Romain, Claudie Judrin, Jaynie Anderson, and Paul Paffen. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Late-19th-century French artist Auguste Rodin (1840-1917) was a sculptor deeply influenced by the Italian Renaissance, and especially by the artist Michelangelo. Deftly modeling and transforming the otherwise imposing materials of bronze and stone, Rodin seemingly pulled movement, tension, emotion, and a sense of energy from the materials themselves and formed them into figures passionately posed and entwined. Rodin's sculptures express spiritual turmoil, desire, fervor, and despair, and are themselves a metaphor for the manifestation of creative genius and the close relationship between creativity and eroticism. This book of postcards brings together some of Rodin's most sensual works, photographed from various dynamic angles to heightened dramatic effect. --A.C. Smith ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A Great Way to Admire Rodin
This postcard collection showcases Auguste Rodin's beautiful sculptures. While it's better to see them in real life, the postcards are a fabulousway to familiarize yourself with his work and to admire it anywhere youlike. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The best book I ever read
This volume of spectacular sculpture rocks. I have never laid my hands on enything quite like it. The pieces are well-written and the photography is excellent. Kudos. ... Read more