Auguste Rodin 1891

This is a photograph of Auguste Rodin by Felix Nadar. Rodin's intense gaze is immediately striking, made all the more penetrating by his spectacles and the powerful beard, symbols of wisdom and authority. The beard, a motif so potent throughout history, evokes images of ancient philosophers and biblical patriarchs. Think of Michelangelo's Moses; the beard signifies not just age but profound insight and leadership. Yet, in Rodin's case, it represents the modern artist, a creator who channels raw emotion and primal forces into groundbreaking sculpture. Consider how beards have shifted in meaning: from emblems of virility and status in ancient societies to signs of rebellion and nonconformity in more recent times. This photograph captures a moment where Rodin consciously adopts a symbolic language, presenting himself as both a master craftsman and a visionary, tapping into collective memories of artistic genius.