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Publications
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This is London, est.1956, Issue 2754, 17 July 2009
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AUGUSTE RODIN AT THE HAY HILL GALLERY A superb collection of some of the most iconic pieces of the famed sculptor Auguste Rodin is currently on exhibition at the Hay Hill Gallery at 23 Cork Street in Mayfair. Among the collection of posthumous casts are such iconic works as The Thinker, The Kiss, Eve, Age of Bronze, Balzac, along with many other well-known sculptures. The noted Rodin Scholar Albert Elsen considered the posthumous recasting of the sculptor's work as part of the natural evolution in the sculptures' life. The exhibition on display shows that it is once again possible to capture the essence of the artist's life accomplishments. Auguste Rodin is generally considered the most important sculptor of the 19th century and the father of modern sculpture. His style and technique opened the doors for such artists as Alberto Giacometti and Henry Moore by breaking traditional moulds and ideas in sculpture. Born to a family of modest means in 1840 in Paris, France he rose to win five of France's largest commissions for monuments in the years 1880s and 1890s. Since his death in 1917, he has become a legend. His passion for life and women are expressed in his unparallel oeuvre. His tragic affair with Camille Claudel formed a heartbreak that saw Rodin seek relationships on many levels with a host of female artists, dancers, models and aristocratic personalities of his time. Rodin was deeply committed to these erotic liaisons which formed the primary core of his creativity. He had an unparalleled gift for modelling in clay. His figures express movement, strength and passion. Rodin transformed this passion most notably in a human form into thousands of small and grand works which has been unequalled to this day. The beginning stages of his work often involved a sketch which was transformed into clay using life models as reference. From the clay which would disintegrate over time a negative mould is made in which is then cast a plaster. The plaster then becomes the basis for the casting in bronze or sculpting in stone. Rodin's position is now guaranteed in the pantheon of greatest artists of Western tradition and you now have the opportunity to view over 50 and acquire some of his greatest achievements at the Hay Hill Gallery. Hay Hill Gallery, 23 Cork Street, Mayfair, London W1S 3NJ. Telephone 020 7734 7010, www.hayhill.com
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This is London, Issue 2765, 2 October 2009, page 17
Auguste Rodin and William Foreman at Hay Hill
Gallery
A superb collection of some of the most iconic pieces of the famed sculptor Auguste Rodin is currently on exhibition at the Hay Hill Gallery. Among the collection of posthumous casts are such iconic works as The Thinker, The Kiss, Eve, Age of Bronze, Balzac, along with many other well-known sculptures.
Auguste Rodin is considered the most important sculpture of western man and the father of modern sculpture. A complex a controversial figure, the subject of literally hundreds of books; still parts of his life are an enigma. One key to Rodin’s life was his relationship with women: his strong ties to his sister; a life long union with Rose Beuret whom he married only at the end of his life; a heart breaking affair with Camille Claudel along with many liaisons with female artists, models, dancers, and aristocratic personalities are born out in his passionate forms.
Juxtaposition to the greatest sculpture artist of the 19th century are the latest impressionistic works of William Foreman a member of Who’s Who in Art, the Dictionary of British Art and the Dictionary of Scottish Art & Architecture.
‘Reflections Past and Present’ the title of Foreman’s exhibition will be held from 19 October to 14 November 2009. The collection of 20 oil paintings is inspired by his love of water, and has been painted ‘en plein air’ on recent trips to the Far East and the South of France. Foreman was encouraged by the Scottish artist, Ian McNab, influenced by the post-impressionists and pointillists; particularly Sisley and Monet.
Hay Hill Gallery, 23 Cork Street, London W1. Tel: 020 7734 7010, www.hayhill.com
