Whatcom Museum Hosts Rodin: In His Own Words

Bellingham, WA - Capturing the intense vitality of the human spirit, the work of groundbreaking French sculptor Auguste Rodin (1840-1917) makes its way to Northwest Washington through Dec. 10, 2006, for the special exhibition Rodin: In His Own Words, Selections from the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Foundation at the Whatcom Museum of History & Art in Bellingham.

At the height of his career, Rodin’s contemporaries considered him the greatest sculptor since Michelangelo.

Incredibly popular, he was the most written-about artist of his time, but he also articulately wrote and spoke at length about his work and philosophies.  His views, eagerly anticipated by his contemporaries, were shared through several books published under his own name as well as by biographies, interviews, and countless letters.  Together these words present a vibrant image of the great sculptor and his work.

“The pairing of Rodin’s own words with pieces of his sculpture through this exhibition gives the viewer the rare opportunity to better understand his working methods and artistic philosophies,” explains Tom Livesay, director of the Whatcom Museum.

Rodin: In His Own Words features more than 30 sculptures that encompass the entire range of his artistic legacy.  Early works, such as The Mask of the Man with the Broken Nose (1863-4), are featured, as well as many independent studies related to some of his major monuments, such as The Thinker, which was conceived for his monumental Gates of Hell.  Also included in the exhibition is a step-by-step explanation of the lost wax casting process - which Rodin used to create his sculptures, as well as a number of Rodin’s works on paper and several original letters written by the artist.  In Bellingham, the exhibition will be appropriately displayed in the galleries of the Whatcom Museum’s historic 1892 Old City Hall, built at the same time Rodin created his Balzac monument half a world away.

By the latter part of his life, Rodin was regarded as the most modern sculptor of his day.  Straying from 19th century academic conventions, Rodin created his own sense of personal artistic expression.  He left behind the sometimes formulaic sculpture associated with the French Academy of the time, instead using innovative techniques and unconventional poses to capture the movement and emotion of his subjects.  His work is now viewed as a critical link between traditional and modern figurative sculpture.

This exhibition is organized and made possible by the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Foundation, the largest private holding of Rodin’s work in the world.  Additional local support comes from the Bellingham Arts Commission and ConocoPhillips-Ferndale Refinery.

The Whatcom Museum of History & Art is located in downtown Bellingham, WA. Visit www.whatcommuseum.org