Auguste Rodin
Father of modern sculpture, The Thinker
Most quoted
"The artist must be a seer, a visionary, a poet, a dreamer, a philosopher, a scientist, a craftsman, a worker, a man of the world, a man of solitude, a man of action, a man of contemplation, a man of passion, a man of reason, a man of faith, a man of doubt, a man of joy, a man of sorrow, a man of life, a man of death."
— from Various writings
"The artist is the confidant of nature, flowers carry on dialogues with him through the graceful bending of their stems and the harmoniously tinted nuances of their blossoms. Every flower has a cordial word which nature directs towards him."
— from Art, 1911
"It is a mistake to think that the art of the Greeks depended on the beauty of the human form. What they sought was the expression of the soul, and this is to be found in the ugliness of a Silenus as well as in the beauty of a Bacchus."
— from Art, 1911
All quotes by Auguste Rodin (358)
The human body is the most magnificent of all forms.
I believe in the power of art to elevate the human spirit.
Every day is a new opportunity to create something beautiful.
The artist must be true to himself, no matter what.
I find inspiration in everything around me, in nature, in people, in life itself.
The most important thing is to feel deeply and to express that feeling with sincerity.
My work is my life, and my life is my work.
I strive for truth in my art, for the truth of human emotion.
The sculptor must capture the fleeting moment, the essence of a gesture.
I am not afraid of criticism, for it helps me to grow.
Art is a dialogue between the artist and the world.
I owe everything to my perseverance and my love for my art.
The greatest masterpieces are born of suffering and joy.
I am a humble servant of art.
The artist must always be a student.
My ambition is to leave behind works that will speak to future generations.
The beauty of a sculpture lies in its ability to evoke emotion.
I believe in the power of the human spirit to overcome all obstacles.
To see is to know, to know is to create.
My hands are my tools, but my heart is my guide.
Contemporaries of Auguste Rodin
Other Visual Artss born within 50 years of Auguste Rodin (1840–1917).