Reclining nude female figure 1865 - 1917

This is Rodin's sketch of a reclining nude female figure, made with graphite on paper. Rodin was working in a Paris that was still under the heavy weight of academic tradition when he began modeling the human body in ways that had little to do with the dominant and preferred neo-classical style. Unlike many artists of his time, Rodin sought to capture the emotional and psychological states of his subjects. His nudes, in particular, were raw, unfiltered, and often challenged conventional ideals of beauty. The emotional impact of the image lays in its display of vulnerability and the rejection of idealized beauty. Rodin wasn't interested in representing a flawless body but in exploring the authentic, unvarnished truth of the human form. This challenges the male gaze, and invites a more empathetic and humanistic view. Rodin said of his work, “I choose a block of marble and chop off whatever I don’t need.” Ultimately, this sketch presents a modern vision of the female form, rooted in realism and emotional depth. It stands as a testament to Rodin's commitment to representing humanity in its most genuine state.