Beside the Sea, 1907, by Auguste Rodin
French, 1840-1917
Marble, Height 23 1/2 inches
11.173.5
Rodin was a very popular sculptor and draughtsman in his lifetime
and posthumously. His work tapped into the feelings of his subjects,
the vivid portrayal of which was shocking and revolutionary for his
time. Many of his works dealt with explicit sexuality, anguish, and
grief.
Unlike many of his works, this piece exudes a calm, meditative feeling.
The figure dips one hand into the water, gazing downward in a pose
of gentle concentration, while the other hand holds on to her right
foot in a childlike gesture. The marble is light, reflective, and
in places almost translucent, and adds to the atmospheric quality.
Gardner, Albert Ten Eyck. "The Hand of Rodin." The Metropolitan
Museum of Art Bulletin, n.s. v. 15, no. 9, May 1957.
Lampert, Catherine. "Rodin, (François-) Auguste (-René)."
The Grove Dictionary of Art Online, ed. L. Macy (Accessed 17
September 2002), <http://www.groveart.com>
Metropolitan Museum of Art, Central Catalog, New York, New York.
Weisberg, Gabriel P. "Rodin Mystique Unmasked." Art
News, v. 80, October 1981, p. 172-6.
