Customer Reviews

Rodin on Art and Artists (Dover Fine Art, History of Art)

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The nineteenth century French sculptor, Auguste Rodin reveals his keen insights on sculpture and art in general in this short and highly readable volume.

Rodin discusses beauty and nature as well as the art of the past, the Greeks and the Renaissance. The student will get an idea for how Rodin worked as well as what he believed to be the role of the artist and the goal of true art.

This book offers a rare selection of quotable statements by Rodin regarding the purposes of art and of the artistic life. Among other things, what makes this collection notable is a lengthy dinner interview with the artist which reads like a contemporary Q&A style news report. Humble and unbuttoned, we are given an informal lesson by the master on the several ways in which the artist serves humanity. Eloquent and wise, Rodin was a remarkable thinker with an ability to see well beyond his age. Like his art his thoughts are timeless and for that reason are always relevant. My only criticism of the book lies in the marginal quality of the black and white images. These could have been printed on better quality paper--as it is the halftones sink into the paper and lose clarity and intensity. However, I did not buy this book for the reproductions but for the artist's sage comments. If one is seeking wisdom, this book is a great value. William J. Havlicek PhD