Auguste Rodin (1840-1917) was a radical sculptor whose unorthodox approach to sculpture-making provided a definitive break in the history of Western sculpture. Although much of his commercial success was based on the bronze and marble versions of his work, Rodin's greatest talent was as a modeller who captured movement, emotion, light and volume in clay and plaster, to challenge traditional conceptions of beauty and perfection.

In line with new thinking on Rodin, this book explores the artist's use of plaster, a material which demonstrates his interest in creating sculptures that are never completed, always becoming. United by their materiality, fragile and experimental pieces are explored alongside new readings of some of Rodin's iconic works, and a selection of his watercolour drawings. Including an exclusive contribution from sculptor Phyllida Barlow, The Making of Rodin sheds light on the artist's use of materials, his unique way of working, and his imaginative use of photography, revealing how Rodin reinvented sculpture for the modern age - and why his work continues to enthral and provoke to this day.

In line with new thinking around Rodin, this beautifully illustrated book focuses specifically on the artist's use of plaster, a material which was crucial to his process, but also demonstrates his interest in creating sculptures that are never finished, always becoming.

About the Author
Nabila Abdel Nabi is Curator, International Art at Tate Modern. Chloe Ariot is Curator, Musee Rodin. Achim Borchardt-Hume was Director of Exhibitions and Programmes at Tate Modern. Phyllida Barlow is a British artist known for her large-scale, anti-monumental sculptures made from inexpensive materials such as cardboard, fabric, plywood, polystyrene and cement. Sophie Biass-Fabiani is Curator, Musee Rodin. Aude Chevalier is Assistant Curator, Musee Rodin. Penelope Curtis is currently Visiting Professor at the Center for Advanced Study in the Visual Arts at Washington's National Gallery Lisa Le Feuvre is inaugural Executive Director of Holt/Smithson Foundation; previously she led the Henry Moore Institute (2010-17), a centre for the study of sculpture. Helen O'Malley is Assistant Curator, Tate Modern. Natasha Ruiz-Gomez is Senior Lecturer in Art History in the School of Philosophy and Art History at the University of Essex. Anne M. Wagner is Class of 1936 Chair Emerita at the University of California, Berkeley.


Book Information
ISBN 9781849766753
Author Nabila Abdel Nabi
Format Hardback
Page Count 224
Imprint Tate Publishing
Publisher Tate Publishing