Eternal Idol 1889

Editor: Right now we're looking at Auguste Rodin's "Eternal Idol," created in 1889. It's a bronze sculpture, currently held at the Musée Rodin in Paris. I'm struck by how intimate and almost mournful the piece feels; it’s as though we’re intruding on a very private moment of reverence or supplication. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Well, first, let's just acknowledge that Rodin had a real knack for making bronze look… well, almost touchable, didn’t he? It's this intimate dance between the masculine and feminine, isn't it? The man is kneeling, seemingly devoted, almost worshipping, while the woman stands serenely above. Does it feel imbalanced to you? I see a profound vulnerability juxtaposed with an almost unattainable ideal. Editor: Definitely. It's interesting you say that. It feels like the title plays into this idea of the 'eternal idol'--something worshipped and put on a pedestal, yet also somehow removed from earthly connection. There is almost a disquieting power dynamic on display. Curator: Precisely. Consider that Rodin was deeply influenced by the Symbolist movement. They were all about exploring hidden meanings and psychological states rather than just depicting surface appearances. Do you think Rodin succeeded here? I see longing, devotion, the almost painful beauty of idealization... It’s not just about romantic love, but the search for something permanent and meaningful in a fleeting world. And those hands… see how gently she holds him, almost as if to temper that devotion? Editor: Yes, her gesture almost reins him in. Now that I notice, his body is in more anguish, and she's very calming, which highlights their dichotomy. Curator: Indeed. It's as if Rodin is saying that the 'eternal idol' isn't just a person, but this enduring human desire to find transcendence in love, despite its inherent imperfections. Seeing the piece together has really shown me just how complex our readings of the piece really can be, given how seemingly straightforward it initially appeared. Editor: Absolutely. Thinking about the title with what we’ve discussed makes this one much more to discuss.