The Abandoned 1897 - 1907

Auguste Rodin made this drawing, The Abandoned, with graphite, and just look at those lines! They’re not just describing a figure, they’re creating a whole world of feeling through process. The texture here is all in the layering – see how the strokes build up, especially around the shadowy areas, to give weight and form to the figure. Then there are other areas where the lines are more sparse and flowing, almost like a whisper. The repeated lines in the lower left create a frenetic energy. It’s like the drawing is alive, breathing. That energy gives me a visceral sensation. I think of Cy Twombly when I see it. Rodin isn't just showing us an image; he’s showing us the act of seeing, the act of drawing. The beauty of art is, you know, it doesn’t have to be one thing. It can be a million things at once.