The Abandoned
ca. 1902
Medium
Graphite with stumping
Dimensions
7 9/16 x 11 7/8 in. (19.4 x 30.4 cm)
Classification
Drawings
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1910
Accession Number
10.45.20
Tags
Art Historical Context
Auguste Rodin, celebrated primarily as a sculptor of the human form, reveals his sensitive draftsmanship in *The Abandoned* (ca. 1902). Executed in graphite with stumping—a technique that softens and blends lines to create atmospheric depth—this modest sheet captures the quiet vulnerability of a female figure. The medium allows Rodin to explore subtle gradations of light and shadow, conveying emotional resonance without the weight of bronze or marble. Created at the turn of the twentieth century, when Rodin was at the height of international fame, the drawing reflects his lifelong fascination...
About the Artist
Auguste Rodin · 1840–1917
François Auguste René Rodin (1840-1917) stands as the founder of modern sculpture, transforming the art form from academic tradition into expressive modernism. Born into a working-class Parisian family, Rodin faced early rejection, failing three times to gain admission to the prestigious École des Beaux-Arts. This setback forced him to work as a craftsman for nearly two decades, though his 1875 tr...