Rodin F Barbedienne Fondeur

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The Kiss

By Auguste Rodin

Located in London, GB

is signed, and inscribed 'Rodin, F. Barbedienne Fondeur' and under the base is marked in pen '58142

Auguste Rodin
The Kiss, 1903

H 16 in W 10 in D 9 in

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Auguste Rodin for sale on 1stDibs

Auguste Rodin was a French sculptor widely regarded as the father of modern sculpture. Breaking away from the idealized forms of classical sculpture, Rodin introduced a more naturalistic, emotionally charged style that emphasized texture, movement, and human emotion. His work often explored themes of love, struggle, and the human condition. Rodin's most iconic works include The Thinker, The Kiss, and The Gates of Hell, many of which began as smaller studies and evolved into monumental masterpieces. His innovative approach to form, fragmentation, and surface detail challenged traditional academic norms and set a new direction for modern sculpture. Despite initial criticism and controversy, Rodin’s work was eventually celebrated as groundbreaking, and he achieved widespread recognition during his lifetime. Today, his sculptures are displayed in major museums and public spaces worldwide, symbolizing the transition from classical to modern art.

Finding the Right Figurative-sculptures for You

Figurative sculptures mix reality and imagination, with the most common muse being the human body. Animals are also inspirations for these sculptures, along with forms found in nature.

While figurative sculpture dates back over 35,000 years, the term came into popularity in the 20th century to distinguish it from abstract art. It was aligned with the Expressionist movement in that many of its artists portrayed reality but in a nonnaturalistic and emotional way. In the 1940s, Alberto Giacometti — a Swiss-born artist who was interested in African art, Cubism and Surrealism — created now-iconic representational sculptures of the human figure, and after World War II, figurative sculpture as a movement continued to flourish in Europe.

Lucian Freud and Francis Bacon were some of the leading figurative artists during this period. Artists like Jeff Koons and Maurizio Cattelan propelled the evolution of figurative sculpture into the 21st century.

Figurative sculptures can be whimsical, uncanny and beautiful. Their materials range from stone and wood to metal and delicate ceramics. Even in smaller sizes, the sculptures make bold statements. A bronze sculpture by Salvador Dalí enhances a room; a statuesque bull by Jacques Owczarek depicts strength with its broad chest while its thin legs speak of fragility. Figurative sculptures allow viewers to see what is possible when life is reimagined.

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