Auguste Rodin was a French sculptor that lived and worked during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He is known for his remarkable ability to model complex, jagged surfaces in clay. “The Walking Man”, one of Rodin’s notable works, illustrates his unusual approach to representing the human body in sculpture.
While many figurative artists sought idealized depictions of the human form, Rodin embraced rough and blemished representations. “The Walking Man” captures a moment of movement with tense musculature and sinewy limbs. Unlike traditional sculptures that were typically placed on pedestals, Rodin intended this work to be viewed at eye level.
“The Walking Man” was never cast in bronze during Rodin’s lifetime, but several examples were produced after his death according to his original intent. Despite initial criticism from traditionalists when he first exhibited his work publicly in Paris in 1877, Rodin spent years refining these pieces regardless of public response as art should not be constrained by societal limitations.
