The World of ArtsRodin,
he created a new sculptured language
Gwen Herat
The colossal evocation of history, the moment he touched clay was
like ascending into heaven and to heaven he did with his miracle hands.
With his first year of study devoted to drawing, Rodin knew nothing of
sculpture. It was by chance he discovered where his true vocation lay
when accidentally he pushed open the door to the modelling room. He was
amazed as he gazed and gazed, as though he stumbled into eternity. And
history was made.
Born on November 12, 1840, Francois. Auguste-Rene was the second
child in the Rodin family. His birth took place at Rue de 1 'Arbalete in
Paris. He was an introvert who provided his own entertainment burying
himself in a world of day dreams and drawing whenever it pleased him.
The young and shy Rodin was very conscious of being handicapped by being
short-sighted.
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La Donaide |
Michelangelo's engravings
After his primary studies, he still had difficulties with reading and
writing also barely knowing how to count, Rodin convinced his father of
his artistic arbour and managed to get enrolled at the Ecole Imperiale.
He was still vague about where he was heading until he looked at some
books with engravings by Michelangelo. When the revelation dawned upon
him, he decided to devote himself for drawing.
In 1854 Rodin began to attend Ecole Imperiale which was also known as
Petite Ecole. This non-fee paying school was first established by Louis
XV which later became Ecole Nationale des Arts Decoratifs. Though it was
originally meant for drawing, it mainly trained artist-craftsmen and
engravers among others. While here, Rodin learned that natural light
brings out form to best advantage.
He was now meeting people of his own age who later were to become
famous as sculptors and painters. One of his contemporaries, Leon
Fourque became one of his closest friends. He gained momentum, his days
became very busy. Rodin spent the afternoons at the Louvre, studying
sculptures and references. In the evenings, he would draw them from
memory. But he found that artistic skills alone was not enough and
desired to fill the intellectual and literary gaps which had resulted
from his haphazard education. Encouraged by his friends, Rodin read
Homer, Virgil, Victor Hugo and other great poets like Jules Michelet,
Alfred de Musset etc.
Sculpting techniques
As he discovered with reading the importance of their writings, he
found that majority of the 19th century sculptors, sculptures were
synonymous with modelling. Rodin immediately mastered the techniques and
the pleasure derived from it due to his dexterity and the speed with
which he worked the clay. As he sculptured piece by piece, he went into
raptures. Rodin had discovered the whole universe. With success came
hard work as began several long hard years of drifting from place to
place.
A Twist in Fate - Rodin's sister, Maria entered the convent of Holy
Infant Jesus after a disappointment in love. She had lost the will to
live and died in 1862, a few weeks before pronouncing her vows. This was
a great blow to Rodin who loved his sister dearly, buried in grief,
Rodin could imagine no other way than that chosen by his sister. Under
the name of Brother Augustin, he joined Fathers of the Holy Sacrament.
Father Pierre-Julien Eymard who was the tolerant and perceptive prior of
the community realized that the monastic life was not the young Rodin's
true vocation. Subtly, he encouraged Rodin to draw and to model, sensing
that was the way to revive his desire to lead an active life. Father
Eymard proved right and not long later, Rodin returned to secular life.
He chose not to live with his parents and thus for the first time found
himself completely independent.
Supreme personality
Back at serious sculpture, he rose to heights that marvelled the
artistic community. From the lonely retiring sculptor, Rodin escalated
to become the supreme artist of the Romantic Age. He was passionate and
demanding, sexual and sensual. His astonishing gigantic personality
stamped his sculpture. |
