Aurora and Tithonus c. 1905 - 1906

Here is Rodin’s sculpture Aurora and Tithonus, created with plaster. I imagine Rodin slowly building up the forms, layer after layer. Each touch of the hand, each addition or subtraction of plaster, must have been a thoughtful act, a negotiation between intention and the unpredictable nature of the material. It's like a dance between control and surrender, isn't it? Looking at Aurora’s gesture as she bends over Tithonus, I can almost feel the weight of her sorrow, her tenderness, and also maybe the tragic situation they are in! What was Rodin thinking when he shaped that curve of her body? Did he feel her conflict? Rodin's in dialogue with other sculptors, even painters, across time, like Titian. Each artist brings their own perspective to this old story, their own way of seeing and feeling. Ultimately, Rodin embraces the ambiguity and uncertainty of creation, inviting us to bring our own interpretations.