Morning 1906

Rodin carved this marble sculpture, "Morning," sometime during his career. Look closely and you'll see the way Rodin handled the marble is just as important as the figure itself. You can see how the rough texture at the base contrasts with the smooth, polished skin of the woman. It’s like he's showing us the before and after of creation. The transition from rough stone to refined form is so sensual, isn't it? The curve of her back, the way her arms lift, it's all about that moment of waking, stretching into the day. Notice how the light catches the polished surface and softens the form. It's as if she's emerging from the stone, not fully formed, but full of potential. It makes me think of Michelangelo, of course, who also believed the figure was already inside the stone. But Rodin leaves more to the imagination, more of the process visible. Like a conversation between artists across time, each with his own way of seeing and feeling.