Rodin Rocks the Legion

Marking the centenary of Auguste Rodin’s death in 1917, the Legion of Honor now presents a completely new installation of its extraordinary Rodin holdings in Auguste Rodin: The Centenary Installation. 

Approximately 50 objects in bronze, marble, and plaster—all from the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco’s permanent collection—will be presented in a new context. The exhibition will examine the artist’s celebrated life and influential work—from his early days courting controversy with sculptures that bore unexpected levels of naturalism—to his later renown and lasting influence. 

Christ and the Magdalene 1894

Auguste Rodin: The Centenary Installation is part of a worldwide series of major Rodin projects and will provide Bay Area audiences a significant opportunity to examine and recontextualize the legacy of the artist known as “the father of modern sculpture.”

“Our Rodin holdings are one of the finest and most significant collections in the United States,” notes Max Hollein, Director and CEO of the Fine Arts Museums. “This exhibition will surprise visitors and inspire dialogue about Rodin and his impact on artists working today. It is a must-see for anyone who thinks there is nothing left to learn about this towering figure in the history of Modern Art.”

Together with the bronzes and marbles, the Legion of Honor has one of the most comprehensive Rodin collections in the United States. On the occasion of this exhibition, an extensive scholarly catalogue—the first to document these collection highlights—was produced by the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. 

Auguste Rodin: The Centenary Installation is curated by Martin Chapman and will be on view at the Legion of Honor from January 28 – April 9, 2017. 

At a recent press reception, Mr. Chapman noted that Rodin "was first and foremost, a keen observer. Perhaps that was because his vision was bad when he was growing up. He had to pay close attention to everything."

The artist was not only plagued by bad eyesight, said the curator: "His personal life was not always something to celebrate. He was a complicated man."