Auguste Rodin’s Kneeling Female Faun is an exceptional bronze sculpture that was originally conceived in 1884 and later exhibited in 1889. The artist drew inspiration from his love for dance and the female body in his artistic interpretations of sensual or erotic themes such as Faun and Nymph, Crouching Woman, Iris, and The Eternal. Notably, many of Rodin’s drawings of female figures were sexually explicit and expressed spontaneity and freedom of draftsmanship.
The Kneeling Female Faun was meant to frame The Gates of Hell, representing one variant among two contemporary versions created by the artist. This sculpture featured a young faun petting a newborn goat in a kneeling position with four hooves distinctly visible. It can be found on the left side of the tympanum.
Despite being a variation from The Martyr, this art piece fails to impress eroticism but instead presents its beauty through its exquisite semblance. Its remarkable details reflect its historical period while displaying Rodin’s vision as an artist that focused on portraying perfection through imperfection.
