The female form was vital to Rodin’s development as an artist and his interest in nudes resulted in works that veer distinctly away from the classic definition of the genre or from any idealized form. What Rodin was pursuing instead was the naturalness of the naked state, its lines and movement, its beauty and simplicity. Needless to say, these non-traditional poses were met with great trepidation even among his admirers, and caused a scandal during a 1906 exhibition. At the turn of the century sketches were viewed mainly as preparatory work, but Rodin’s drawings brought the genre to a new level. At once immediate and enduring, they provide a supremely intimate glimpse into his creative process and a window into his own soulful worship of the human body in motion.
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Book Description
In the twilight of his career, when he had already established his eminence as a sculptor, Auguste Rodin turned almost obsessively to sketching the female form. These drawings were produced quickly, with the artists’ eyes following his models’ every move, his pen or pencil in constant contact with the paper. Rodin referred to these quickly executed sketches as his "one-minute drawings," and he produced literally thousands of them in various media: India ink, gouache, watercolor, charcoal and pencil. This elegant volume includes over 100 drawings and cutouts beautifully reproduced in the warm and subtle tones of the original.
Editorial Reviews
From the Publisher
· Over 100 drawings and cutouts
· Rodin shows the female nude form in its beauty and simplicity
· Wonderful collection of Rodin’s late work
About the Author
Auguste Rodin (1840-1917) is one of France’s most revered artists. His works are distinguished by their stunning strength and realism. He was strongly influenced by the works of Michelangelo, and his pursuit of realism resulted in accusations that he had used a live model as a cast for his sculpture, The Age of Bronze. Among his most famous works are his monuments The Burghers of Calais, his statues St. John the Baptist Preaching, Eve, The Thinker, and The Kiss, and The Gates of Hell. In 1916 Rodin donated his entire estate to the French government stipulating that they establish a permanent museum dedicated to his work. The Musee Rodin is located in the Rodin’s Paris home, and the works still displayed in their original settings.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The full color reproductions are superbly presented,
By Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Auguste Rodin: Images of Desire (Schirmer Art Books) (Hardcover)
Images Of Desire: Erotic Watercolors And Cut-Outs showcases the erotic watercolor illustrations and cut-out artwork by Auguste Rodin, the famed French artist most commonly known through his sculptures. A brief introduction by Anne-Marie Bonnet adds pensive thought on these minimalist, somewhat abstract yet undeniably sensual and sexual artworks celebrating pleasure and love. Intense imagery evokes passion out of the simplest lines. The full color reproductions are superbly presented and make Images Of Desire a welcome and highly recommended addition to personal, academic, and community library Art History and Art Appreciation reference collections.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Never too much,
By wiredweird "wiredweird" (Earth, or somewhere nearby) - See all my reviews (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER) (TOP 500 REVIEWER)
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This review is from: Auguste Rodin: Images of Desire (Paperback)
"I have been accused of thinking about women too much ... But what could be more beautiful than thinking about women?" - Auguste Rodin
Rodin is a striking example of an artist who achieved recognition in his own lifetime. That included financial independence, which gave him the freedom to explore directions for which patronage would have been hard to find. In fact, the display of some images in this series is said to have cost the director of the Grand-Ducal Museum his job. It's easy to think of Rodin's masterworks in statuary as complete command of form. Whatever Rodin thought of them, it wasn't enough. His later life produced "one-minute drawings" like these by the thousands. He was looking for something, possibly within himself, that he never found words to articulate wholly. One proposal holds that he wanted to capture the dimension of time, the frozen moment, that eluded stone and bronze. Perhaps he succeeded. Beyond that, he also succeeded in collecting a wonderful catalog of female figure - not just figure, but dynamic and exciting figure. The excitement is more than just intellectual. It goes well towards the carnal but stops short of vulgarity, at least to a modern eye. These models presented not just their forms but their arousal, of themselves and of their same-sex partners. Rodin's genius captured their passion and his own, stripped of any critical sentiment. This book will work well to complement a library that already represents Rodin's better-known works. These watercolor drawings tend toward a sameness of color, contrast, and style that might wear on some viewers' patience. I guess it's not for everyone. If you've already befriended Rodin's work, though, this is an enjoyable way to deepen your relationship. -- wiredweird
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