Next up is exaggeration. The principle is fairly straightforward: it’s taking something, like a nose for example, and pushing it even farther1. You could make a character comical or serious, but you create a much more memorable character if you push their appearance just a little bit further than normal. Auguste Rodin was quite good at doing this.
Auguste Rodin (born in 1840) is one of the most influential sculptors in art history. He was never accepted into any art school; instead his skill comes entirely from his own talent and hard work2.
His most exaggerated work is his Monument to Balzac, commissioned by the French Writer’s Association in 1891. Rodin worked on it for seven years, but he was met with immense disapproval when he presented it to the association3. Rodin’s concept became more and more exaggerated as the years went by until the statue represented Balzac’s personality rather than his body. This was such a strange idea that it didn’t go over well with his commissioners; after all this was nothing like what they expected! Disapproval of his works was unluckily something that Rodin had to suffer through for most of his life.
The real Balzac
This is what they got.
As you can see, there is a resemblance, but it is so exaggerated that it is almost unrecognizable. Rodin’s skill was taking personality and using that to influence the physical appearance of his sculptures. This was a new concept during this time of realism and formal skill, and the initial reaction of the public was less than approving. Unfortunately, Rodin’s work was out of favour for most of his life. An interest did surface after his death, however, as was the case with many artists.
Sources:
1. Lightfoot, Nataha. “12 Principles”. Animation Toolworks.
2. “About Auguste Rodin”. Rodin Museum. http://www.rodinmuseum.org/286-97.html
3. Masson, Raphael (2004). “Rodin”, “Flammanion”. (101-105).
Photo 1: Edward Steichen [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Photo 2: Edward Steichen [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
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Posted on October 28, 2011
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