1840-1917, most important sculptor of the transition period from the 19th to the 20th century.

François-Auguste is considered brilliant innovator of sculpture and is one of the greatest sculptors of all time besides Praxiteles, Canova, Michelangelo and Cellini. His sculptural work is so extensive that to this day still appeared no complete catalogue of his works. He would certainly include several hundred pages.

Rodin studied at the school for applied arts, as he was rejected three times at the Paris School of art. Rodin was an ardent admirer of beauty. The human body captivated him, which he immortalized repeatedly in his "Vérité Fugitive" in the fleeting moment of the moment: lively, vibrant beauty that took shape under his creative hands. Whatever Rodin created with his hands, radiates immense vitality and untamed power.

His sculptures with often fractured surfaces ushered in a new era of sculpture. The genius of Rodin's modern design language, which was expressed with elements of impressionism, left the monument-like pose of academic style and mental constitutions could be alive in the moving surfaces, had to be recognized :"Boldness of light – modesty of the shadow" - Rodin wrote this dialogue of increases and cuts in the 'skin' of his sculptures. Flickering highlights and mysterious shadows animate his characters and make them alive: "Sculpture is the art to represent the forms in the play of light and shadow."

An alloy of copper with other metals (especially with tin) used since ancient times.

Bronze casting:

When casting bronze, artist usually applies the lost-wax technique which is dating back more than 5000 years. It's the best, but also the most complex method of producing sculptures.

Sculpture "The Book Reader" by Ernst Barlachs is shown here as an example:

First, the artist forms a model of his sculpture. It is embedded in a liquid silicone rubber composition. Once the material has solidified, the model is cut out. The liquid wax is poured in the negative mould. After cooling down, the wax casting is removed from the mould, provided with sprues and dipped into ceramic mass. The ceramic mass is hardened in a kiln, and the wax flows out (lost mould).

Now we finally have the negative form, into which the 1400 ° C hot molten bronze is poured. After the bronze had cooled down, the ceramic shell is broken off and the sculpture comes to light.

Now the sprues are removed, the surfaces are polished, patinated and numbered by the artist himself or, to his specifications, by a specialist. Thus, each casting becomes an original work