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The Musee Rodin in Paris is hosting between May 16 - September 9 2007 an exhibition documenting the fascination that Rodin had for the Far East and especially for Japan, a trend that was in fashion at the end of the 19th century throughout Europe. Rodin was already a mature and famous artist when he discovered Japanese art and masters, which have influenced him to a certain degree. He also became a collector of Japanese art, mainly woodcuts, and also produced a series of drawings that he called "japonais" and also some sculptures which mark this new influence. |
Auguste Rodin, Portrait de Hanako, 1906/1907
The exhibition is presenting the most important of these works, as well as several documents depicting Rodin's fascination for Japan. A key-moment, also narrated in the even, is the meeting between Rodin and the Japanese comedian Hanako in Marseille, in 1906. After 1900 Rodin attracted several Japanese artists who passed through Paris, many of them becoming close to the French sculptor and helped his popularize his works in the Far East.
The exhibition "Rodin - the Japanese Dream" is retracing the link between Rodin and Japan art, presenting the results of this interest and thus offering a new approach to the work of the famous French artist.
Photo : musee-rodin.fr
May 2007
