Pair of Standing Nude Male Figures Demonstrating the Principles of Contrapposto according to Michelangelo and Phidias 1906 - 1916

Auguste Rodin's "Pair of Standing Nude Male Figures Demonstrating the Principles of Contrapposto according to Michelangelo and Phidias" (1906-1916) is a terracotta sculpture housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. This piece exemplifies the concept of contrapposto, a classical art technique that creates a sense of balance and dynamism in a standing figure by contrasting opposing curves. Rodin's sculptures, known for their expressive surfaces and imperfect beauty, showcase his fascination with the human form and its potential for conveying emotion. The raw, unfinished quality of the terracotta further underscores the artistic process.