Children Embracing (Enfants s’embrassant) before 1916

"Children Embracing" or "Enfants s’embrassant," is a bronze sculpture by Auguste Rodin. Rodin lived and worked during a time when the roles of women and children were being renegotiated in both art and society. Here, Rodin invites us into an intimate tableau of childhood affection. Two young children are captured in a tender embrace; the smaller child almost disappears into the hug of the slightly larger one. But consider what Rodin does not show us: distinct facial features, individual personalities. Instead, the universality of childhood is emphasized, tapping into deeply felt human experiences. Notice how Rodin defies conventional representations of children. They are not idealized cherubs but rather ordinary, anonymous figures. This piece isn't just a celebration of innocence; it's an exploration of the profound emotional connections formed in early life. In a world that often overlooks the emotional lives of children, Rodin elevates their capacity for love and empathy.