Auguste Rodin (French, 1840–1917) was a French sculptor whose work helped usher in the modern era of sculpture. Best known for The Thinker and The Kiss, Rodin broke away from classical ideals to create pieces that pulsated with emotion and raw human form. His figures are often muscular, unpolished, and alive with feeling - capturing presence instead of perfection.
Rodin began his career in relative obscurity, facing rejection from traditional art schools. Rodin, however, persevered, drawing inspiration from Michelangelo and Gothic architecture. He modeled directly in clay, favoring texture and movement over smoothness or symmetry. His work initially drew controversy, but he soon gained acclaim for sculptures that felt startlingly real, flawed, and passionate. Though often associated with realism, Rodin's art borders on the abstract, limbs blurring into rough stone. Faces turn inward in contemplation.
Rodin's legacy continues through the Musée Rodin in Paris and countless public monuments worldwide. His bold, expressive forms continue to resonate - reminding that true beauty lies not in perfection but in the honest contours of the soul.
