Study of a nude female figure (Satyress)
Auguste Rodin, 1905–8
About this artwork
Auguste Rodin's *Study of a Nude Female Figure (Sress)*, created between 1905 and 1908, captures the sculptor's late-career fascination with the human form in a delicate graphite and watercolor drawing on paper. Measuring just under 10 by 13 inches, this intimate sheet exemplifies Rodin's shift toward more fluid, expressive sketches after decades of monumental bronze sculptures like *The Thinker* and *The Gates of Hell*. As a master of Realism with Impressionist influences, Rodin often used drawings not just as preparatory studies but as standalone explorations of anatomy, movement, and emotion. The satyress—a mythical female counterpart to the playful, half-goat satyrs of ancient Greek lore—evokes themes of sensuality and wild abandon, blending classical mythology with Rodin's modern eroticism. His technique shines here: soft graphite lines define the figure's curves and contours, while watercolor adds luminous washes of color, heightening the sense of flesh and vitality. These works reveal Rodin's innovative approach to drawing, prioritizing spontaneity over finish, which influenced generations of modern artists. A cherished gift to the Metropolitan Museum of Art from Georgia O'Keeffe in 1965, this piece bridges Rodin's legacy with 20th-century American modernism, inviting visitors to appreciate the raw energy behind his sculptural genius.