Rodin: The Hands of Genius [Paperback]

Helene Pinet (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 30, 1992

Provides a critical study of the artist whose work redefined late-nineteenth-century French sculpture, discussing his personal life, the evolution of his art, and various sculpture techniques. Original.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: French

Product Details

• Paperback: 143 pages
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams (October 30, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810928884
• ISBN-13: 978-0810928886
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4.9 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,292,278 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great little book, November 2, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Rodin: The Hands of Genius (Paperback)

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!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Small but comprehensive, January 21, 2003

By 

albinoshrink (New York, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rodin: The Hands of Genius (Paperback)

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.

4 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars very biographical but not criticle enough!, September 28, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Rodin: The Hands of Genius (Paperback)

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.