Auguste Rodin in Raleigh, North Carolina

Rodin was traditionally trained, but during his life also got a lot of criticism because his innovation was not classical. In 1857 he applied to the Grand École and was turned down despite fact that they had low standards for admission.

Although he suffered those setbacks as well as many others, he was also referred to as the Michelangelo of his day. But he often seemed oblivious to the criticism. He couldn't understand the objections to body parts without heads when there were so many sculptured heads without bodies.

But through it all, as well as the typical complicated life of an artist, he continued to produce the work as he saw fit to do it. And in doing this he left of legacy of some of the greatest works of art that exist.

The quote above, by Leo Steinberg sums up the quality and spirit of Rodin's work.

At one point Rodin was training to become a skilled craftsman, the art he produced was not seen by anyone because he could not afford the castings. However, he persevered and eventually his statue, The Thinker, became arguably the most widely recognized sculpture in modern day.

Rodin is not only a great artist, whose works are inspiring, but his determination and ability to rise from the constraints of his origins as well as several early discouragements is something we can all look to as a model.

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MUSEUM PARK: The picture is from the NCMA website. It depicts the Museum Park which "consists of 164 acres of woodlands, open areas and streams filled with trails and monumental works of environmental art. The combination of an important art museum and a large natural area offers a rare opportunity to explore art and ecology together".

The Museum is currently undergoing extensive renovation and expansion. When it is finished the State Museum will be gifted by the Iris & B. Gerald Cantor Foundation, in September 2009, with approximately 29 Rodin bronzes, some of which will be in the park.

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