Auguste Rodin (1840-1917)

This famous French sculptor was born November 12, 1840 in Paris, France. Although he was very near-sighted, he started drawing when he was 10 years old but his eyesight made it difficult for him to read and write. He attended a special art school where he discovered the art form that would be his life's work: sculpture. To help support his family, he began working when he was 18 for "ornamentalists," people who specialized in building decorations and statues, but he continued to do his sculptures too.

He was drafted into France's National Guard but discharged soon after because of poor eyesight. He needed to find a new job, so he went to work for a commercial sculptor, and traveled with him to Belgium. Even though his family was still in Paris, he stayed in Belgium for six years, and finally made his debut there as a sculptor. In 1875, he traveled to Italy where he closely studied Michelangelo's beautiful work, which inspired him to make larger statues. Unlike ancient Greek and Roman sculptures, Rodin's figures were so realistic that some critics thought he had cast the hot metal on live people! Even though he denied doing that, no one believed him so he returned to Paris. Because he needed to support his family, he took a job at the famous Sèvres porcelain factory, but even that wasn't enough, so he took whatever work he could get.

He was not discouraged by the critics, however. "Nothing is a waste of time if you use the experience wisely," he said. Despite all the problems, he finally received an important commission from the French Ministry of Fine Arts to do a big public project - the entrance for a new museum of decorative arts. Although the museum was never built, Rodin continued working on the doors the rest of his life and in fact probably his most famous sculpture, called "The Thinker," was done during this time.

Fortunately, his reputation grew and he got more and more work, including many large sculptures for public display. He became the president of an international society of artists. His work was displayed at the Paris World Exhibition in 1900. His ability to make bronze look alive with texture and emotion was his gift to the world. He continued to work and teach until his death on November 17, 1917 at age 77.