Rodin’s Joy In Repetition

Whilst in Paris a couple of weeks ago, I was fortunate enough to take part in something that I wouldn’t normally do… a friend of the artistic persuasion invited me along to an exhibition by the famous sculptor Auguste Rodin – he of the famous works including, The Thinker, The kiss and The Walking Man. But on this occasion the exhibition was dedicated to his other passion of drawing… indeed there was 300 drawings on show at the Musée Rodin. This collection is called: Capturing the model: 300 Rodin drawings 1890 – 1917.

Now I am most definitely not un connaisseur de art in its purest forms but I would consider myself artistic. And having witnessed Rodin’s work I was immediately drawn to the centralised theme of his drawings. These were essentially sketches in graphite pencil often imbued with watercolour, bringing the images to life off of the canvas. The drawings were predominantly that of the femme nue variety set in a number of suggestive poses – sitting, squatting, laying down etc.

Simple, erotic and beautiful but somewhat repetitive! This assertion is not a criticism but merely an observation of this man’s joy in repetition… and we can all get a little obsessed from time to time with the female form… even me.

Go see the exhibition for yourself if you can. It’s open until April 1st 2012 (which coincidently is April Fools day!)

Rodin Museum
rue de Varenne
75007, Paris
Phone : 01 44 18 61 10
Fax : 01 44 18 61 30

A selection of drawings – click to enlarge.

FEMME NUE AUX LONGS CHEVEUX, RENVERSÉE EN ARRIÈRE

FEMME ACCROUPIE VUE DE DOS, UN VÊTEMENT SUR LES ÉPAULES

FEMME NUE ASSISE, DE FACE, LES MAINS DERRIÈRE LA TÊTE

FEMME NUE ASSISE, UN PIED POSÉ DE HAUT SUR UN GENOU ; FEMME NUE DEBOUT SANS TÊTE

FEMALE NUDE WITH LEFT LEG OUTSTRETCHED

Now listen to this…

 

Joy, obsession and repetition: The pursuit of artistic pleasures…

I Remember Paris

I remember your face that morning
The look and the taste of the coffee
The night before how it unravelled
Dancing to that intoxicating funk
Plucking notes on your instrument
The coolest neighbours ever?
In that midnight hour…
I remember the crosstown traffic too
From A to B and in-between…
The freaks came out in that valiant vehicle
Chasing the night and all it had to offer
I remember the bar owner we had a chat with
Struggling to understand but I got the point
We’re closed… in friendly French
A friendly face passed by – bottle in hand
Where’s the party?
I remember the short walk to the scene
We talked about this and that and the other
Others hanging out too after hours
Earlier, the performance…
Such artistry – there’s a place for it
Full house vibrations made it happen
Front row, right-hand side – perfection
I remember Paris