Rodin Museum in Paris and the National Museum of China, after the exhibition of Ten Masterpieces of French Painting- Making the 50th Founding Anniversary of Sino-French Diplomatic Ties closed in June, later in the year, hosted another exhibition themed on classical French art, namely, Rodin, l’oeuvre d’une vie, to bring a successful conclusion to this memorable year.

A total of 139 original works created by Auguste Rodin, a great French sculptor in the 19th century will be on display, including The Thinker, The Age of Bronze, Monument to Balzac, The Gates of Hell and other representative works. Moreover, many drawings for Rodin’s gypsum sculptures will also be exhibited, through which art lovers can get a glimpse of the thinking process and moods during the artistic creation by this most prestigious master in the world history of modern sculpture.

Auguste Rodin is a famous sculptural master of the 19th century and extensively influenced China, his works are representative of the highest-level in French art. The retrospective of Rodin’s sculpture is through 4 themes: The Early Years, The Birth of the Sculptor, Approaching Maturity, and The Mysterious features of Rodin’s Studio, presenting 139 pieces from the collections of the Rodin Museum at the National Museum of China for a comprehensive display and review of the art life of one of the greatest sculptors, as well as showcasing the mental process, starting from when he wasn’t recognized at the beginning to finally becoming a grand master.

–Lv Zhangshen, Director of National Museum of China

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Sino-French diplomatic relations, the cultural exchanges between the two countries are comprehensively unfolded on different levels. The Foresight and Wisdom of the Pioneer—The 50th Anniversary of Establishment of China and France Diplomatic Relations Exhibition, Ten Masterpieces of French Painting- Making the 50th Founding Anniversary of Sino-French Diplomatic Ties has been successively held at the National Museum of China. At the end of the commemorative activities, Rodin, l’oeuvre d’une vie debuts at the National Museum of China, which not only promotes the commemorative activities to a new climaxbut also announces the end of the memorable year.

–Cai Wu, Minister of the Ministry of Culture of the People’s Republic of China

One of Rodin Museum’s missions is through showcasing Rodin’s work around the world, to make the artist known to the general public, in order to establish extensive cooperation relationships with more international institutions. The exhibition in Beijing is a very good opportunity for this. The exhibition is successfully helped with the close cooperation between Rodin Museum and the National Museum of China, and fully demonstrates that the French attach great importance to the cooperation with China in the field of culture.

–Fleur Pellerin, Minister of the Ministry of Culture and Communication of the Republic of France

About the exhibition

Dates: November 28, 2014 - March 22, 2015

Venue: Gallery N10

Hosted by: National Museum of China, Rodin Museum in Paris

Courtesy of the artist and the National Museum of China, Rodin Museum in Paris, partly translated by Chen Peihua and edited by Sue/CAFA ART INFO.