The Golden Age 1871 - 1878

Auguste Rodin captured this vision of The Golden Age in graphite, a dance of figures on paper. Note the garland of foliage above the figures, a symbol echoing through time from ancient Roman triumphs to Renaissance allegories of spring. Consider Botticelli's Primavera, where Flora scatters blossoms, a celebration of life's renewal. Here, Rodin infuses the motif with a poignant tension. The figures are entwined, yet seemingly burdened; the putto strains upwards, perhaps symbolizing the struggle inherent in the cycle of life. This echoes back to the Dionysian revels, embodying a complex interplay between joy and sorrow, creation and destruction. It’s as if Rodin taps into a collective memory, a subconscious understanding of nature's dualistic power. The figures evoke a deep emotional response, reminding us of humanity's eternal dance with nature and fate.