It’s a grey day at the end of October. The sound of gunfire rings out. The teacups rattled on the tables in The Courtauld Gallery Café’s courtyard. A piece of modern art performance being captured on film.  Inside a series of life studies, maquettes and sculptures by Rodin captured the essence of movement

Rodin was a rarity amongst 19^th century artists. He was recognized and well considered in his own life-time for the expressive works he produced. Many will know him for the bronzes and marbles that he produced.  In his last decade and a half they were created from life studies. These works were experimental and many not shown beyond his close circle of friends.

Life Studies

By drawing the new dance forms, and wildly expressive movements of the dancers, he was using what was around him at the time. Using life models in his studios, and also meeting the dancers at the theatres, he developed a fluid shorthand for capturing the shapes.

Some of the works concentrated on line and others introduced washes. This increased the feeling of movement both in creating the form and giving a livelier background. It was interesting to see the way the drawings changed over time and the terracotta or plaster forms were created.

Exaggerated Movement

Due to the flexibility and strength of the dancers Rodin was able to capture poses that are not often possible with models. The new ballets that were being created at the time  reflected a move away from the classic positions. It must have been difficult to decide on which of the many movements to capture and then how to make a free-standing sculpture.

The exhibition took place from 20 October 2016 to 22 January 2017 and was supported by Friends of The Courtauld International Music and Art Foundation, in memory of Melvin R Selden, The Daniel Katz Gallery (London), Stuart and Bianca Roden and the Henry Moore Foundation.

Impact

Seeing Rodin’s last major project and learning that he was still experimenting was very up-lifting. Continual study of the body and it’s movement plus embracing the new forms of movement in his sixties gives me hope. It also encourages me to be playful in my studies. I will try new ways to be expressive when attending life groups. Groups ar a great way to get access to models whose poses may be passive or active.

Some of the works that I create from life study each week get destroyed. Some are put in the development drawer as a reminder of what can be achieved by happy accident or planned experiment. Only finished works of a certain quality are offered for sale.

PS I don’t know what the movie being shot was, but it involved Michael Keaton in a Polish market.