His Most Famous Sculpture (The Thinker) - Auguste Rodin - By: Annette Labedzki

The celebrated French sculptor, Francois-Auguste-Rene Rodin or Auguste Rodin, was born into a family of modest means on November 12, 1840, as the second child of Jean-Baptiste Rodin and Marie Cheffer. Considered the father of modern sculpture, Auguste could sculpt intricate, turbulent, and profoundly pocketed structures in clay. Owing to his genuine interest in drawing, Rodin had his first drawing lessons when he was just ten years old. During these early years, he experimented thoroughly with clay to stunning creative degrees. Despite him gathering appreciation for his talent at the age of seventeen, the creator of "The Thinker," Rodin was incapable to gain entry to the esteemed and traditional art school Ecole des Beaux-Arts. He was denied admission there thrice.

In 1858, in order to support and sustain his family, Rodin started working commercially in 'Decorative Arts.' At that time, Paris was in a phase of transformation and renovation. Many statues and other decorative sculptures were being erected all through the city. This held up an excellent opportunity for Rodin, as the renovation workshops were recruiting artists to work on these projects. Although, the work remained unfinished at the time of his death, it provided the basis for some of Rodin's most influential and powerful work, including "The Thinker."

One of the most parodied works of art in the world, "The Thinker (Le Penseur)" (1902) by Auguste Rodin, has motivated people worldwide for over a century now. Described as an insignia of philosophy and rational disciplines, "The Thinker" is fashioned in 'Classical' style, with a unique signature of Rodin. Standing 2m (6'6") tall and distinguished by "The Thinker's" eye-catching might and 'Realism,' Rodin refused to ignore and imply the negative aspects of humanity into this statue. Initially criticized and later on appreciated, this bronze and marble statue at Musee Rodin, Paris (1912) is not only seen striking the sitting pose of a thinker, but also portrays a powerful man. The statue has a complex physical expression of a muscular male figure, leaning over his right hand, which supports his upper trunk. His left hand is kept on his knee. Overall, the sculpture takes on a life of its own, as a vibrant tour de force.

"The Thinker," initially titled "The Poet," was custom-made for Musee des Arts Décoratifs (Museum of Decorative Arts) in 1880 to grace the doors at the doorway of the museum. Formerly portraying Dante, pondering over his great poem, at the colossal 'Gates of Hell,' "The Thinker" outgrew it to become a larger than life stand-alone piece in 1902. The museum however, never happened and Rodin could never complete the Gates, despite toiling on them for over a decade. Currently travelling the world, the original cast of "The Thinker" is loaned to museums worldwide. The sculptures of Rodin resonate the immense aspirations of the nineteenth century, marked by Darwin, Marx, and Wagner. The equation, 'The Thinker = the Poet = the Creator' was way ahead of his time. Rightly called the 'Wagner of Sculpture,' Auguste's works expose a wide range of human emotions, often including trounce, pain, and distress.

When Rodin was 76 years old, he donated the French government the complete collection of his own works and other art objects he had collected. The artworks occupy the Hotel Biron (now Musee Rodin) in Paris and are still placed as the artist set them. At the age of 77, on November 17, 1917, the master of "The Thinker," Auguste Rodin passed away due to chronic illness.

In 1858, in order to support and sustain his family, Rodin started working commercially in 'Decorative Arts.' At that time, Paris was in a phase of transformation and renovation. Many statues and other decorative sculptures were being erected all through the city. This held up an excellent opportunity for Rodin, as the renovation workshops were recruiting artists to work on these projects. Although, the work remained unfinished at the time of his death, it provided the basis for some of Rodin's

Annette Labedzki received her BFA at the Emily Carr College of Art and Design in Vancouver, B.C. Canada. She has more than 25 years experience. She is the founder and developer of an online art gallery featuring original art from all over the world. It is a great site for art collectors to buy original art. Is is also a venue for artists to display and sell their art . Artists can join for free and their image upload is unlimited. Please visit the website at http://www.Labedzki-Art.com
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