Leaving the Earth 1900 - 1905

Rodin drew 'Leaving the Earth' with graphite and watercolor wash on paper. It’s a beautiful example of how just a few lines and washes can suggest so much. Look closely, and you can see the physicality of the process. The graphite lines create the form, and then he adds washes of watercolor, like a blush on the figure's skin, or a shadow defining the contours. The washes aren’t overworked; they’re allowed to bleed and fade, creating an airy, ethereal feeling. It's the kind of mark making that reveals the artist’s hand, his thought process right there on the page. Notice the the spine and shoulder, it is so fleeting as if on the verge of disappearing completely. You can see echoes of artists like Leonardo da Vinci in Rodin's understanding of anatomy, as well as his focus on depicting human emotion. It makes me think about how artists build on each other's ideas. It’s all part of an ongoing conversation. Art invites multiple interpretations, it is something to be explored and not easily solved.