Auguste Rodin (1840-1917) was a French sculptor widely considered to be one of the greatest artists of the modern era. He is best known for his expressive and emotive sculptures that captured the human form in all its complexity and beauty.
Rodin was born in Paris, France and showed an early talent for art. He attended the École des Beaux-Arts, but left after only a few months due to his dissatisfaction with the traditional teaching methods. Instead, he began working as an assistant to established sculptors, honing his skills and developing his own unique style.
Rodin's sculptures were characterized by their realism and attention to detail. He often used live models to create his works, capturing their natural poses and movements in clay before casting them in bronze. His subjects ranged from mythological figures to everyday people, but he was most interested in exploring the human form and its emotions.
One of Rodin's most famous works is "The Thinker," a bronze sculpture depicting a man deep in thought. It has become an iconic image of intellectualism and has been reproduced countless times around the world. Other notable works include "The Kiss," "The Burghers of Calais," and "The Gates of Hell".