1. modèle 1880 - 1886
François Auguste René Rodin was a French sculptor, generally considered the founder of modern sculpture. He was schooled traditionally and took a craftsman-like approach to his work. Rodin possessed a unique ability to model a complex, turbulent, and deeply pocketed surface in clay. He is known for such sculptures as The Thinker, Monument to Balzac, The Kiss, The Burghers of Calais, and The Gates of Hell.
Many of Rodin's most notable sculptures were criticized, as they clashed with predominant figurative sculpture traditions in which works were decorative, formulaic, or highly thematic. Rodin's most original work departed from traditional themes of mythology and allegory. He modeled the human body with naturalism, and his sculptures celebrate individual character and physicality. Although Rodin was sensitive to the controversy surrounding his work, he refused to change his style, and his continued output brought increasing favor from the government and the artistic community.
Jean-Léon Gérôme was a prominent 19th-century French painter, a representative of the academic school of painting. His paintings are notable for their impeccable composition and exquisite colour palette.
Jean-Léon Gérôme did not accept the work of the Impressionists, whom he considered to be the ignominy of French art. This has earned him a controversial reputation as a fierce supporter of academism and a persecutor of new movements.
Théo van Rysselberghe, a prominent Belgian painter, was a key figure in the Neo-Impressionist movement, particularly known for his adoption of the pointillist technique. Born in Ghent, Belgium, in 1862, van Rysselberghe played a crucial role in the artistic circle Les XX, a group of avant-garde artists who sought to break away from traditional academic art norms. His early works displayed an Impressionist influence, which evolved significantly after he encountered Georges Seurat's pointillist masterpiece at an Impressionist exhibition in Paris in 1886.
Van Rysselberghe's career saw a significant shift after this encounter, as he embraced pointillism, a technique involving the application of small, distinct dots of color to form an image. His mastery in this style is evident in his landscapes and portraiture, where he employed vibrant colors and meticulous attention to light and detail. His work during this period is considered the pinnacle of his artistic achievements, showcasing his talent not only in landscapes but also in pointillist portraiture, a genre he significantly contributed to within the Neo-Impressionist movement.
Despite his success and contributions to pointillism, Théo van Rysselberghe eventually moved away from this technique around 1904, exploring other artistic expressions. Throughout his career, he remained an influential figure in the Belgian art scene, his works continuing to inspire and attract attention for their innovative approach and technical prowess.
For art collectors and enthusiasts, delving into Théo van Rysselberghe's oeuvre offers a fascinating glimpse into the evolution of Neo-Impressionism and pointillism, highlighting the artist's significant role in these movements. To stay updated on sales and auctions featuring van Rysselberghe's works, signing up for updates can provide exclusive insights into opportunities to acquire pieces by this remarkable artist.
