Auguste Rodin (1840-1917)

"The arrival of Rodin sent alters the identity of broadening our understanding of Michelangelo's sculpture and allowing us to reach a new and objective view of his work."
(George Kubler, The Shape of Time)

Seventy-seven years of talent condensed into a single personality: this, in a word, the history of French artist Auguste Rodin. Born into a humble family, who could not afford to support his studies - despite the artistic talent had manifested since his young age - he began going to school at the age of 14 years.

Three times, then, he was refused admission to the Ecole des Beaux Arts. But Rodin was determined, and cultivated his skills by attending what would become the Ecole des Arts Decoratifs, in addition, following the illustrious example of the Prix de Rome (1) on a journey that leads him, in 1876, in major cities of Italy, including Florence, where it is in contact with the dazzling work of Michelangelo.

Auguste Rodin is a cornerstone of modern sculpture, but also shining example for all those who, today, never see the right time: he worked for a long time with the teacher-Careers Belleuse and was maintained by the decorator and the stonemason . With excellent results and was able to design and manufacture of decorative art works and, as everyone knows, was a brilliant sculptor and innovative.

In a tireless is back on the same subject - has dedicated, since the early eighties, nearly thirty years of his life to the design and orchestration of the Gates of Hell - by returning to literature as a great truth of the worldview that leaves the stunned user. The 'Dante's Inferno in his hands is molded into a series of episodes and figures that accumulate and fuse with each other, while at the same time to maintain their autonomy. Of course, starting from the example of Ghiberti, author of the door of the Baptistery in Florence (1425-1452), but according to a plastic and lighting design that has a flavor all fin de siecle.

To know more read here the review of the Rodin exhibition. The origins of genius, in Legnano, near Palazzo Leone da Perego until March 20, 2011.

(1) The Prix de Rome is a prize of a stay in Italy - specifically in Rome - awarded to an educational purpose for students of the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris.