Auguste Rodin

Auguste Rodin (1840–1917) was a French sculptor widely regarded as a leading figure of modern sculpture. Born in Paris, he trained at the Petite École and worked as an ornamental modeller before developing an independent career. Rodin gained major public attention with *The Age of Bronze* (1877) and later received a state commission for *The Gates of Hell*, a monumental project he worked on for decades. From this commission emerged some of his most famous figures, including *The Thinker* and *The Kiss*. His expressive modeling and emphasis on movement and psychological intensity influenced generations of artists. Rodin died in Meudon, France.