The most famous The Thinker by Rodin, Bronze, 1889, Collection of the Rodin Museum
Close-up of a figure from the Burghers of Calais group, Bronze, 1889, Collection of the Rodin Museum
Lifelike statue of Madame Roll, Marble, 1887, Collection of the Rodin Museum

Text and photos by Chen Chi-Hsiang. Rodin transformed passionate life into bodily sculpture. In his turbulent, original style, like the Impressionist painters of his time, he broke forms to convey life from reality. Particularly in these clay, bronze, and marble works, he displayed power and passion, showing light variations on smooth surfaces and rough, uneven textures. If asked what Rodin’s language is, it is unquestionably the body, clay, bronze, and marble; he sculpted passion, pain, pleasure, and thought. He not only challenged his era but still bewilders us today.