Figure of a Woman "The Sphinx" c. 1880 - 1909

Editor: We are looking at Rodin's "Figure of a Woman ‘The Sphinx’," carved in marble sometime between 1880 and 1909. The smoothness of the woman's body contrasts with the rough texture of the rock she's kneeling on, and it makes me wonder about vulnerability and strength. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see Rodin grappling with the complex and often contradictory representations of women in the late 19th century. The title, "The Sphinx," immediately pulls us into the realm of myth and female power, yet the figure herself is posed in a way that could be read as submissive. Consider how women were being represented, and how much the male gaze dominated these representations at this period of burgeoning industrialisation. Is Rodin questioning these representations, or is he complicit in them? Editor: That's fascinating! So, you’re suggesting that Rodin is playing with the tension between female power and vulnerability in this sculpture, and within the socio-historical context? Curator: Exactly. Think about the concept of the "femme fatale" prevalent at the time, a figure both alluring and dangerous. Does this Sphinx embody that archetype? And how does her nudity play into these layered meanings? Is she a celebration of the female form, or is it another form of objectification, when the status of woman and sexuality in society was very tense? What is *your* reading? Editor: I guess I initially saw it as an exploration of form and texture. But understanding its place within the social and historical context, particularly around representations of women, opens up a much deeper conversation. It’s definitely a challenging piece. Curator: Precisely! It reminds us that art is never created in a vacuum. Exploring an artwork through its socio-political and cultural context encourages a critical awareness that's always relevant. Editor: This conversation gave me a new awareness and encouraged me to read artworks in a totally different way! Thank you!