Study of a nude female figure (Satyress) 1905 - 1908

Rodin made this study of a nude female figure, or satyress, with graphite on paper. The whole thing feels so in process! I can almost feel Rodin’s hand moving across the page, layering and relayering those marks. It’s like he’s thinking through the image, right there in front of us. The texture of the graphite is amazing. Look at how he uses these scribbly lines to build up the shadows and volume of the figure. It’s not about perfect representation, but about capturing the energy and sensuality of the body. The way the figure is cropped and kind of dissolving into the background feels really modern to me, like a Degas or a Manet. And that little patch of red chalk near the center? It’s so subtle, but it just makes the whole thing sing. It reminds me of something Guston might do, just a little pop of color to bring the whole composition alive. Ultimately, art is an ongoing conversation.