Rodin: Eros and Creativity

by Rainer Crone

Superbly reproduced images of selected sculptures and late drawings by Rodin document his obsession with sexuality, revealing the countless ways he depicted the as a threat and challenge, but also as the source of all creative inspiration and passion. Augmenting these illustrations are essays by leading scholars exploring the ramifications of eros in Rodin's work and his influence on his contemporaries as well as on future artists. In word and image, this volume deepens our understanding of nineteenth century's premier sculptor.

Genres: Art

188 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1992

Reviews

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was good to have multiple pictures of each of these sculptures, since they tell different stories from different angles. The main plates (pgs 57-145) in the center of the book are just numbered with short label. I wish the text/talk about each of these were placed sequentially in this book near the pictures, instead of having all the text in the front of the book.

The text in the early part of the book is rather hard to read. I'm not an artist, so the depth of the discussions went way over my head. Maybe Rodin really was thinking that hard and symbolically about each piece. It just sounded over-analyzed.

The later part of the book contained Rodin's "Scandalous" drawings which were fairly simplistic. This was followed by some essays, again rather difficult to read per the way they sounded over-thought.

[Rita · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book contains two intelligent essays about Rodin's life and the sophisticated sensuality of his sculpture, along with many gorgeously printed images and plates. Soon after reading this book, I visited the Met Museum in NYC, where there's a hall filled with pieces by Rodin. This book prepared me to appreciate Rodin in thrilling new ways and articulate a couple of significant ideas to my companion at the museum.