PORTLAND, ORE.- The Portland Art Museum is presenting Rodin: The Human Experience—Selections from the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Collections, an exhibition of 52 bronzes by the groundbreaking French sculptor Auguste Rodin. The exhibition, which opened January 21, 2017, is being staged in Portland to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the artist’s death.One of the greatest artists of his time, Auguste Rodin (1840-1917) revolutionized the art of sculpture. While his works always remained faithful to nature, he departed from traditional practice in seeking to reveal the creative process. This exhibition of stunning bronzes demonstrates Rodin’s particular passion for modeling the human form in clay, the medium in which his hand and mind are most directly evidenced. 

The selected bronzes in the show represent the major achievements of Rodin’s long career. They include powerful studies for The Burghers of Calais, as well as works derived from his masterpiece, The Gates of Hell. Others, such as The Night (Double Figure), demonstrate his experimentation with assemblage. Rodin: The Human Experience also features sculptures, such as Monumental Torso of the Walking Man, which demonstrate Rodin’s admiration for Michelangelo, and Dance Movement D, which speaks to his interest in understanding how the body moved. 

The exhibition is especially rich in portraiture. Included are Rodin’s famous depictions of the writers Victor Hugo and Honoré de Balzac; the composer Gustav Mahler; the artist Claude Lorraine; one of his favorite dancers, Hanako; and his portrayal of The Hand of God, which is likely a self-portrait. 

Rodin’s ability to use bronze to represent living flesh and his interest in expressing extreme psychological states were highly influential upon younger artists, both in Europe and America. Rodin: The Human Experience reveals why the artist is considered the crucial link between traditional and modern sculpture. 

The Museum will present a variety of public programs and tours in conjunction with the exhibition, including an opening lecture by exhibition curator Judith Sobol, Executive Director of the Iris & B. Gerald Cantor Foundation.

Auguste Rodin (French, 1840–1917), Heroic Bust of Victor Hugo, modeled 1890-97 or 1901-02; Musée Rodin cast 7 in 1981, Bronze; Coubertin Foundry; 29 1/4 x 231/2 x 21 1/4 in. Lent by Iris Cantor.

Auguste Rodin (French, 1840–1917), Fallen Caryatid with Urn, modeled 1883, enlarged 1911-17; Musée Rodin cast 4 in 1982; Bronze; Coubertin Foundry; 45 1/4 x 36 3/4 x 31 1/8 in. Lent by Iris Cantor.

Auguste Rodin (French, 1840–1917), Monumental Head of Balzac, modeled 1898; Musée Rodin cast 9 in 1980; Bronze; Georges Rudier Foundry; 20 x 17 1/2 x 16in. Lent by Iris & B. Gerald Cantor Foundation.

Auguste Rodin (French, 1840–1917), Monumental Head of Jean D’Aire, modeled about 1908-09, enlarged 1909-10; Musée Rodin cast 5 in 1975; Bronze; Georges Rudier Foundry; 26 3/4 x 19 7/8 x 22 1/2 in. Lent by Iris Cantor.

Auguste Rodin (French, 1840–1917), Narcisse, modeled about 1882, enlarged and retitled 1890; Musée Rodin cast 8/8 in1985; Bronze; Godard Foundry; 32 x 13 x 12 1/4 in. Lent by Iris & B. Gerald Cantor Foundation.

Auguste Rodin (French, 1840–1917), Gustav Mahler, 1909, Bronze, Overall: 18 x 13 1/2 x 12 inches, Courtesy of the Iris & B. Gerald Cantor Foundation.

Auguste Rodin (French, 1840–1917), Large Hand of a Pianist, modeled 1885; Musée Rodin cast 9 in 1969; Bronze; Georges Rudier Foundry; 7 1/4 x 10 x 4 7/8 in. Lent by Iris & B. Gerald Cantor Foundation.

Auguste Rodin (French, 1840–1917), Balzac in a Dominican Robe, modeled 1893; Musée Rodin cast 9 in 1981; Bronze; Georges Rudier Foundry; 41 3/4 x 20 1/8 x 20 in. Lent by Iris Cantor.

Auguste Rodin (French, 1840–1917), Study for Torso of the Walking Man, modeled 1878-79; Musée Rodin cast 10 in 1979; Bronze; Coubertin Foundry; 20 1/2 x 10 3/4 x 8 in. Lent by Iris & B. Gerald Cantor Foundation.

Auguste Rodin (French, 1840–1917), Claude Lorrain, modeled 1889; Musée Rodin cast 5/8 in 1992; Bronze; Coubertin Foundry; 84 1/2 x 42 1/2 x 46 in. Lent by Iris Cantor.

Auguste Rodin (French, 1840–1917), Three Faunesses, modeled before 1896; Musée Rodin cast number unknown in 1959; Bronze; Georges Rudier Foundry; 9 1/4 x 11 1/2 x 6 1/2 in. Lent by Iris & B. Gerald Cantor Foundation.

Auguste Rodin (French, 1840–1917), Damned Women, modeled about 1885; Musée Rodin cast 2/12 in 1978; Bronze; Coubertin Foundry 8 x 10 3/4 x 5 in. Lent by Iris & B. Gerald Cantor Foundation.

Auguste Rodin (French, 1840–1917), Iris, Messenger of the Gods, modeled 1891; cast number and date unknown; Bronze; Georges Rudier Foundry; 18 x 18 1/4 x 7 1/2 in. Lent by Iris Cantor.

Auguste Rodin (French, 1840–1917), Head of Pope Benedict XV, modeled 1915; Musée Rodin cast 10 in 1978 Bronze; Georges Rudier Foundry; 10 x 7 x 9 1/2 in. Lent by Iris & B. Gerald Cantor Foundation.

Auguste Rodin (French, 1840–1917), Bust of Mrs. Russell, modeled 1888; Musée Rodin cast 11 in 1993 Bronze; Georges Rudier Foundry; 13 3/4 x 10 x 10 1/4 in. Lent by Iris Cantor.

Auguste Rodin (French, 1840–1917), Ixelles Idyll, modeled 1885; Musée Rodin cast 4 in 1981; Bronze; Coubertin Foundry; 21 x 14 5/8 x 14 5/8 in. Lent by Iris & B. Gerald Cantor Foundation.

Auguste Rodin (French, 1840–1917), Ecclesiastes, modeled 1898; Musée Rodin cast II/IV in 1995; Bronze; Godard Foundry; 10 1/2 x 10 1/4 x 11 3/4 in. Lent by Iris & B. Gerald Cantor Foundation.

Auguste Rodin (French, 1840–1917), Final Head of Eustache de St. Pierre, modeled about 1886; Musée Rodin cast II/IV in 1995; Bronze; Godard Foundry; 16 1/4 x 9 5/8 x 11 1/2 in. Lent by Iris & B. Gerald Cantor Foundation.

Auguste Rodin (French, 1840–1917), Saint John the Baptist Preaching, modeled about 1880; Musée Rodin cast number unknown in 1925; Bronze; Alexis Rudier Foundry; 31 1/2 x 19 x 9 1/2 in. Lent by Iris Cantor.

Auguste Rodin (French, 1840–1917), Large Clenched Left Hand, modeled about 1885; Musée Rodin cast 3 in 1966 Bronze; Georges Rudier Foundry; 18 1/4 x 10 3/8 x 7 5/8 in. Lent by Iris & B. Gerald Cantor Foundation.

Auguste Rodin (French, 1840–1917), Nude Study of Balzac (Type C), modeled about 1892; Musée Rodin cast 12 in 1976; Bronze; Georges Rudier Foundry; 50 x 20 1/2 x 24 3/4 in. Lent by Iris Cantor.

Auguste Rodin (French, 1840–1917), The Three Shades, modeled 1880-1904; Bronze; Coubertin Foundry; 38 1/4 x 37 1/2 x 20 1/2 in. Lent by Iris Cantor.

Auguste Rodin (French, 1840–1917), Jean de Fiennes, Vêtu, modeled 1885-86; Musée Rodin cast 2/8 in; 1981; Bronze; Coubertin Foundry; 82 x 48 x 38 in. Lent by Iris Cantor.