Hand of God before 1903

Auguste Rodin, working at the turn of the 20th century, sculpted Hand of God out of marble. The piece seems to capture a moment of divine creation. Rodin lived in a time when traditional religious beliefs were being questioned by new scientific and philosophical ideas. Here, Rodin isn't just reiterating biblical stories, but grappling with what it means to create, to give life, and the roles of gender and power in those acts. The hand, a symbol of masculine strength, cradles the nascent forms of a man and a woman. They huddle together, vulnerable yet full of potential. Consider the sensuality of the marble, the curves of the bodies. Rodin was known for his ability to capture raw emotion and physical presence. Are we seeing the creation of Adam and Eve, or is Rodin inviting us to contemplate the very nature of human relationships and the forces that shape us? Rodin’s sculpture invites us to reflect on the power dynamics inherent in creation, love, and existence itself.