Rodin: In His Own Words, Selections from the Iris & B. Gerald Cantor Foundation

By the latter part of his life, Auguste Rodin had achieved success on an international scale, in large part because he was a true self-promoter and always ready and able to speak about himself and his work. By 1900, Rodin was revered by his contemporaries; they sought his opinions and views on art with great respect and adoration. Rodin’s perspective was disseminated through several books published under his own name and in countless letters, as well as by biographers and interviewers. Together these present a vibrant image of the great sculptor and his work.    

Because Rodin was so clear about what he wanted viewers to know about his work, each of the 35 pieces in Rodin: In His Own Words was accompanied by translated quotes about the specific work or about his art in general.  The exhibition included letters, books, portraits of Rodin by others, and a ten-step demonstration of the lost wax casting process – all of which helped contextualize the art that represented the length of his career.

The exhibition was curated by Foundation specialists Amy Silvey and Danna Kay.

Rodin: In His Own Words visited twenty venues:

“I cannot express how excellently powerful the viewing experience was for me. I want to thank your foundation not only for providing the…resource[s] to make things like this happen, but more importantly, the vision of the life-giving qualities they provide viewers.”