By Jonathan Shih
Auguste Rodin, one of the most celebrated sculptors of the 19th and early 20th centuries, profoundly impacted the world of art with his revolutionary approach to sculpture. Born on November 12, 1840, in Paris, France, Rodin defied traditional norms and transformed the landscape of art with his unique interpretation of the human form. His sculptures, most notably The Thinker (1902) and The Kiss (1882), evoke deep emotion and explore themes of love, anguish, and contemplation. The quote, "The main thing is to be moved, to love, to hope, to tremble, to live," perfectly encapsulates Rodin’s philosophy not only on art but on life itself. His works convey the intensity of human emotion, challenging the static nature of traditional sculpture and engaging the viewer in a visceral, emotional experience.
Rodin's commitment to capturing human emotion and movement in stone and bronze was groundbreaking. Rather than focusing solely on idealized beauty, he was more interested in the imperfections, the tension, and the rawness of human experience. His pieces convey a sense of urgency and vitality, something that had rarely been seen in classical sculpture. In The Thinker, Rodin depicted a figure in deep contemplation, a symbol of human intellectual and emotional complexity. In The Burghers of Calais (1889), a group of men is shown in a moment of sacrifice and vulnerability. These works, among many others, reflect his belief that art should not merely imitate life but should embody it—full of passion, uncertainty, and the unpredictable beauty of the human condition.
The quote, "The main thing is to be moved, to love, to hope, to tremble, to live," reflects Rodin's own life philosophy. For him, art was a means to engage with life’s emotions deeply and to express the fleeting yet powerful moments that make up our existence. To live, as Rodin suggests, is not simply to survive but to embrace the full spectrum of human experiences—love, passion, fear, and joy. The ability to "tremble" in the face of life’s uncertainties speaks to Rodin’s belief that true living is found in vulnerability, in the willingness to open oneself to both beauty and pain. Through his art, Rodin invited viewers to experience life through his sculptures, capturing profound emotions that transcend time.
In today’s fast-paced, digital world, Rodin’s words are a reminder of the importance of truly living, not just existing. With the constant distractions and pressures of modern life, we often overlook the importance of being fully present in each moment. Rodin’s belief that life’s most essential experiences are rooted in emotional vulnerability encourages us to embrace love, hope, and even trembling fear as essential parts of what it means to live a meaningful life. His works continue to inspire, urging us to live with depth, to love without hesitation, and to engage with the world around us with the same intensity and passion that he infused into his sculptures.
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