Rodin

Art Historical Context

Behold Auguste Rodin, the pioneering French sculptor, captured in this exquisite 1926 wood engraving by engraver Timothy Cole, faithfully reproducing John Singer Sargent's masterful portrait. Titled simply *Rodin*, this print from the National Gallery of Art Rosenwald Collection honors one of modern sculpture's giants, known for revolutionary works like *The Thinker* and *The Gates of Hell*. Sargent, a leading portraitist of the Gilded Age and Impressionist circles, depicted Rodin with dynamic energy, emphasizing his creative intensity—a fitting tribute from one artistic luminary to another. Wood engraving, Cole's specialty, transforms Sargent's oil painting into a precise, tonal print using the fine end-grain of boxwood blocks. This 19th- to early-20th-century technique allowed engravers like Cole to rival photography in detail, making elite artworks accessible through books and portfolios. Cole's renditions were celebrated for their fidelity, bridging fine art and reproduction. Housed in the National Gallery's CG-W department, this piece reflects the era's fascination with celebrity artists and the democratization of art via prints. A testament to transatlantic artistic exchange, it invites visitors to appreciate Rodin's legacy through Sargent's gaze and Cole's craft.