Book Description
"I have drawn all my life. I began withdrawing: I have never stopped drawing."—Auguste Rodin

From the "black" drawings contemporaneous with the Gates of Hell to his great watercolor nudes, this book reproduces hundreds of Auguste Rodin's most beautiful graphic works held in the collection of the Musée Rodin, a number of which are published here for the first time. The accompanying essays analyze the complex relationships between Rodin's drawings and his sculptures, the problems of attribution, and the role of sensuality in his work.

Rodin's rich graphic oeuvre has until now been a little-known aspect of his art, yet it is crucial to a full understanding of his work. This book will be essential reading for anyone interested in the great sculptor's achievements. 372 illustrations in color and black and white. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

The "Other" Rodin - Drawings and Watercolors
Though most readers already may be familiar with Rodin's sculpture, they won't want to miss the gorgeous full page reproductions of hundreds of the artist's watercolors and line drawings. The wide ranging portfolio - in terms of color, shape, texture - is sure to impress. The book itself is of very high quality and the reproductions are excellent. The editors have added a helpful and interesting discussion of this aspect of Rodin's work that will enhance your enjoyment of these drawings. ... Read more

Book Description

Customer Reviews (1)

"All right, Ben. Attend me."
"Anybody can look at a pretty girl and see a pretty girl. An artist can look at a pretty girl and see the old woman she will become. A better artist can look at an old woman and see the pretty girl that she used to be. But a great artist-a master-and that iswhat Auguste Rodin was-can look at an old woman, protray her exactly as she is...and force the viewer to see the pretty girl she used to be...and more than that, he can make anyone with the sensitivity of an armadillo, or even you, see that this lovely young girl is still alive, not old and ugly at all, but simply prisoned inside her ruined body. He can make you feel the quiet, endless tragedy that there was never a girl born who ever grew older than eighteen in her heart...no matter what the merciless hours have done to her. Look at her, Ben. Growing old doesn't matter to you and me; we were never meant to be admired-but it does to them."

-Robert A. Heinlein "Stranger in a Strange Land" ... Read more

Book Description
With his erotic nude studies Auguste Rodin completed the artistic step towards modernity during the last two decades of his life. To a greater extent than in his sculptural œuvre he broke with art traditions in his pencil drawings, watercolors and drawings combined with scissor cuts, establishing his total independence of prevalent beauty ideals and morals. The intimate character is born out by the expeditious stroke, comparable to instantaneous snapshots, and the liberality of the motifs. Contemporaries such as Rilke and Paul Klee immediately recognized the revolutionary artistic quality of the drawings. The price Harry Graf Kessler had to pay for exhibiting them in Weimar 1906 was high, however: he was dismissed from his position as head of the Grand-Ducal museum. This book, a softcover reprint of our 1995 classic, contains 105 watercolors and scissor cuts collected from museums and private collections from all over the world, including some "scandal" drawings from Weimar. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Never too much
"I have been accused of thinking about women too much ... But what could be more beautiful than thinking about women?" - Auguste Rodin

Rodin is a striking example of an artist who achieved recognition in his own lifetime. That included financial independence, which gave him the freedom to explore directions for which patronage would have been hard to find. In fact, the display of some images in this series is said to have cost the director of the Grand-Ducal Museum his job.

It's easy to think of Rodin's masterworks in statuary as complete command of form. Whatever Rodin thought of them, it wasn't enough. His later life produced "one-minute drawings" like these by the thousands. He was looking for something, possibly within himself, that he never found words to articulate wholly. One proposal holds that he wanted to capture the dimension of time, the frozen moment, that eluded stone and bronze.

Perhaps he succeeded. Beyond that, he also succeeded in collecting a wonderful catalog of female figure - not just figure, but dynamic and exciting figure. The excitement is more than just intellectual. It goes well towards the carnal but stops short of vulgarity, at least to a modern eye. These models presented not just their forms but their arousal, of themselves and of their same-sex partners. Rodin's genius captured their passion and his own, stripped of any critical sentiment.

This book will work well to complement a library that already represents Rodin's better-known works. These watercolor drawings tend toward a sameness of color, contrast, and style that might wear on some viewers' patience. I guess it's not for everyone. If you've already befriended Rodin's work, though, this is an enjoyable way to deepen your relationship.

-- wiredweird

The full color reproductions are superbly presented
Images Of Desire: Erotic Watercolors And Cut-Outs showcases the erotic watercolor illustrations and cut-out artwork by Auguste Rodin, the famed French artist most commonly known through his sculptures. A brief introduction by Anne-Marie Bonnet adds pensive thought on these minimalist, somewhat abstract yet undeniably sensual and sexual artworks celebrating pleasure and love. Intense imagery evokes passion out of the simplest lines. The full color reproductions are superbly presented and make Images Of Desire a welcome and highly recommended addition to personal, academic, and community library Art History and Art Appreciation reference collections. ... Read more

Book Description
Auguste Rodin: Erotic Sketchbook

Norbert Wolf

Designed to imitate an artist's sketchbook, this exquisite collection of Auguste Rodin's nude drawings is a sensuous celebration of his work.

One of the world's most revered sculptors, Rodin spent much of his late career sketching nudes in his studio. At the time these intimate studies were considered obscene and their first public exhibition resulted in scandal. Today Rodin's erotic work is appreciated for its great expressive power, confidence of line, and delicate colors. This collection of more than thirty color drawings offers readers the unique experience of peering over the artist's shoulder as he works. The stunning reproductions, embossed cover and ribbon tie make this a perfect gift for lovers of art and lovers everywhere.

Norbert Wolf is an art historian and the author of Gustav Klimt: Erotic Sketchbook, Egon Schiele: Erotic Sketchbook, and The World of Saints (all by Prestel). ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A Treasure Book from Rodin's Last Years of Work
Though very small in format and in brevity of content (a mere 64 pages with 38 illustrations), this little book serves art lovers and art historians well.Contained in this slight volume, and interspersed with cogent commentary by Norbert Wolf in both English and German, are Auguste Rodin's final sketches in pencil, watercolor and gouache of the female nude.Quite in contrast to his monumental sculptures these sketches reveal a different aspect of Rodin's genius - he introduces nude and nearly nude drawings of women in tandem, works that at the time of creation were scandalously dismissed as pornography.

In today's harsher light these fine sketches provide a glance at not only Rodin's psyche but also at his amazingly fluid style of committing drawing to paper, a style in significant contrast to his strictly anatomically correct sculptural figures.The book is a delight to read and to peruse and allows us entry into the climate of the late 19th and early 20th century art realm.Grady Harp, September 06 ... Read more

Book Description
This new edition asks probing questions.How old was Rodin when he first began to draw?Where did Rodin get many of his ideas for sculptures?What is The Thinker?Read 'The Life and Work of: Auguste Rodin' to answer these questions and more.Each book in 'The Life and Work of...' series tells the story of a famous artist.You'll learn about their lives.You'll see how the things that happened to them and the people who they met changed the way they made their art. ... Read more

Book Description
The Thinker. The Kiss. Iconic and groundbreaking, Auguste Rodin’s works brought sculpture into the 20th century and established a new sculptural freedom that captures the imaginations of artists even today. In this exquisitely illustrated volume, leading Rodin scholars share new insights on Rodin’s work. Stunning new photographs of sculptures include The Thinker and The Walking Man as well as lesser-known (but no less dramatic) works; the book also includes intriguing photographs by Rodin and his contemporaries.

This is a must-have for anyone interested in the history of sculpture. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

CAMILLE
As a Rodin researcher, I find Catharine Lampert's book extremely useful as a reference. It is very insightful in providing three-dimensional characterization, particularly to Camille Claudel who played such an important part in influencing Rodin's style in the 1880's, serving both as a detailer (hands and feet) of his own works, a model and his lover while continuing to become a better and better sculptor in her own right. The book is a beautiful publication worthy of coffee-table display. The lure of the coffee table, however should be balanced by the posible reactions of those who may flip it open towards the end. Here one finds many of his drawings. Wonderful though they and his style are in the drafting field, there are quite a number of sketches that are also extremely explicit . I would not want my grandchildren to be 'hit' by these. Buy the book by all means but be forewarned to display, or not display, according to the company that surround your coffee table. Neville Hale, author "The Rodin Quest" listed by Amazon.

"All right, Ben. Attend me."
"Anybody can look at a pretty girl and see a pretty girl. An artist can look at a pretty girl and see the old woman she will become. A better artist can look at an old woman and see the pretty girl that she used to be. But a great artist-a master-and that iswhat Auguste Rodin was-can look at an old woman, protray her exactly as she is...and force the viewer to see the pretty girl she used to be...and more than that, he can make anyone with the sensitivity of an armadillo, or even you, see that this lovely young girl is still alive, not old and ugly at all, but simply prisoned inside her ruined body. He can make you feel the quiet, endless tragedy that there was never a girl born who ever grew older than eighteen in her heart...no matter what the merciless hours have done to her. Look at her, Ben. Growing old doesn't matter to you and me; we were never meant to be admired-but it does to them."

-Robert A. Heinlein "Stranger in a Strange Land"

Beautiful image filled collection of Rodin's creations.
This book contains many wonderful pieces, as well as providing details of Rodin's life during the time he created these enchanting works.I love to turn each page, because his collection always remain fresh and exciting...Jasmine ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

A STORMY RELATIONSHIP
Books have been written and films produced about the stormy relationship between sculptor Auguste Rodin and promising sculptress Camille Claudel.Few liaisons have been as artistically fruitful or as emotionally turbulent.

In an attempt to freshly evaluate her work, this concise volume examines Claudel's impact upon Rodin's work, her family background, and her tragic descent into mental instability.

According to most biographers, Rodin's affection for Claudel continued even after their final separation as he continued to use her as a model.Perhaps the most poignant reminder of her is found in "The Thought," a pale, melancholy study.

Rich with illustrations by of works by both Rodin and Claudel, this title sheds new light on one of the most dramatic partnerships in the world of art.

- Gail Cooke

A Refreshing Look at an all-too-politicized relationship
I found this book engaging and very interesting.The relationship between Claudel and Rodin is examined fully and with an eye to historical accuracy.Though some may wish to champion the cause of an artist largely unrecognized in important critical scholarship, such politicization of an historical event to meet modern aims is untenable at best.For those seeking an honest, thoughtful account of a dynamic and difficult relationship between a premier artist and an aspiring sculptor this book is worth the read.The reproductions are dazzling in quality and the design is pleasing and neat.

downgrading Claudel to a copy of Rodin
Camille Claudel was too genuine, too proud an artist to ever allow her work to be a copy of Rodin's.Who knows maybe it should be the other way: Rodin copying Claudel...

An uninspired work that lacks insight.
Schmoll has taken the party line on this piece and looks at every reason to discredit Claudel to the benefit of Rodin.Criticism of Claudel goes so far as to imply that her best works could have been touched up by Rodin.Schmoll even takes time to nitpick at Claudel's looks, pointing out that they were marred by a "weak" chin.From the beginning Schmoll compares the work of a young girl's in her 20's to that of a man in his 40's.It is one of the poorest critical studies of an artist that this reader has ever read. ... Read more

Book Description
Whether madonna, muse or temptress, women have been a source of artistic inspiration throughout history. In the Reveries series, Parkstone pays tribute to the important contribution women have made to artists by uplifting their spirits and giving free reign to their fantasies. We invite you to share the erotic world of well-known painters such as Degas and Schiele.

This new genre of art book offers a glimpse into the private lives of some of the most influential artists of modern times. The most striking features of the Reveries series are their brief texts, sophisticated layouts, and high-quality reproductions. Each title pays homage to the artists oeuvre and the elegant layouts include some rarely-seen images.

Every page benefits from a unique design and offers a unique setting for some of the most sensual works of Degas, Schiele. Modigliani and Toulouse-Lautrec. These publications should be considered as works of art themselves, a delight for the enthusiast; instructive for the novice; a welcome and valuable addition to any library. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A good book.
I have a couple of books on Rodin and this is one of the goodones. I mostly enjoyed its photographs, It's inexpensive too. ... Read more

Book Description

Customer Reviews (1)

Rodin's Insight into Art
The nineteenth century French sculptor, Auguste Rodin reveals his keen insights on sculpture and art in general in this short and highly readable volume.

Rodin discusses beauty and nature as well as the art of the past,the Greeks and the Renaissance. The student will get an idea for how Rodinworked as well as what he believed to be the role of the artist and thegoal of true art. ... Read more

Book Description
Auguste Rodin-the most famous artist in the world at the turn of the twentieth century-led a life as sensational and intense as the great sculptures he created. In this major reinterpretation of Rodin`s life and times, the accomplished Rodin scholar Ruth Butler draws for the first time on closely guarded archives and letters to disentangle the facts of this legendary artist`s life from the many myths that have grown up around him. Lavishly illustrated, the book also provides new interpretations of the motivations, execution, and reception of Rodin`s extraordinary artistic creations. ... Read more