by Miriam Silverberg

On the centenary of the death of Auguste Rodin (1840-1917), the Metropolitan Museum of Art is celebrating its historic collection of the artist’s work in Rodin at The Met, opening September 16.  Nearly 50 marbles, bronzes, Plasters and terracottas by Rodin, representing more than a century of acquisitions and gifts to the Museum, are being displayed.  The exhibition features iconic sculptures such as The Thinker and The Hand of God, as well as master-  pieces such as The Tempest that have not been on view in decades.  Paintings from the Met’s collection by some of Rodin’s most admired contemporaries including his friends Claude Monet and Pierre Puvis de Chavannes are being  presented in dialogue with the sculptures on display.

The extraordinary range of the Met’s holdings of Rodin’s work will be highlighted in an adjacent gallery with a selection of drawings, prints, letters and illustrated books, as well as photographs of the master sculptor and his art.

This focused presentation will introduce visitors to the evolution of Rodin’s draftsmanship and demonstrate the essential role of drawing in his practice.  It will also address Rodin’s engagement with photographers, especially Edward J. Steichen who served as a key intermediary in bringing Rodin’s drawings to New York.

I found this very interesting and enjoyable.

Miriam Silverberg is a freelance journalist and owner of Miriam Silverberg Associates, a boutique publicity firm in Manhattan. She may be reached at silverbergm@mindspring.com