Bust of a Smiling Woman 1875

Auguste Rodin modeled this terracotta bust of a smiling woman sometime during his career in France. The sculpture embodies Rodin's challenge to academic conventions, particularly in its departure from smooth, idealized surfaces. Consider the late 19th-century art world, where institutions like the École des Beaux-Arts held significant sway. Rodin, though trained in this system, began to push against its constraints, advocating for more expressive and naturalistic forms. The rough texture and unfinished quality of this bust reflect this shift. The woman's smile, while conventional, is softened by Rodin's tactile manipulation of the clay, lending it a sense of spontaneity. To truly understand Rodin's contribution, we need to delve into the institutional structures of his time, examining the critical reception of his work and his complex relationship with the art establishment. Archives, period reviews, and exhibition catalogs are invaluable resources in reconstructing the cultural landscape in which Rodin operated.