Artwork
Figure Bending Forward with Right Knee Raised
Figure Bending Forward with Right Knee Raised is a graphite drawing by the Romanticist artist Auguste Rodin. It dates from 1878 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1878, *Figure Bending Forward with Right Knee Raised* is a drawing by the French artist Auguste Rodin. Executed in graphite and watercolor, the work captures a single human figure caught in a moment of motion, the torso inclined forward and the right knee lifted. The piece reflects Rodin’s early exploration of the human form before he became widely known for his monumental sculptures.
Subject & Meaning
The composition presents a solitary figure poised in a dynamic stance, suggesting tension and anticipation. The forward bend of the torso combined with the elevated knee conveys a sense of readiness, as if the subject is about to step or leap. Though no narrative context is supplied, the pose invites viewers to consider themes of movement, balance, and the physical potential of the body.
Technique & Style
Rodin employed graphite to outline the figure’s structure, then applied watercolor washes to model volume and suggest surface texture. The drawing balances precise draftsmanship with a looser, painterly handling of tone, highlighting the artist’s skill in rendering anatomy while hinting at the tactile qualities he would later achieve in clay and bronze.
History & Provenance
The work dates from the early stage of Rodin’s career, when he was still training in the academic tradition and honing his observational abilities. While the drawing was not originally intended for public exhibition, it later entered collections that document the sculptor’s preparatory studies, offering insight into his developmental process prior to his breakthrough in monumental sculpture.
Artist & collection
Artist
François Auguste René Rodin (; French: ; 12 November 1840 – 17 November 1917) was a French sculptor generally considered the founder of modern sculpture.
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