Auguste Rodin

1 7.7

A French sculptor who makes powerful, realistic statues like The Thinker

proper noun

: Auguste Rodin

The museum features several masterpieces by Auguste Rodin, including The Thinker.

Examples

Many consider Auguste Rodin the father of modern sculpture for his innovative approach to form.
The famous sculptor Auguste Rodin created many masterpieces.
Art students often study the techniques of Auguste Rodin to better understand modern sculpture.
Auguste Rodin is celebrated for his unique style.
Art students often study the techniques of Auguste Rodin to better understand modern sculpture.
Many consider Auguste Rodin the father of modern sculpture for his innovative approach to form.
The museum features several masterpieces by Auguste Rodin, including The Thinker.

Synonyms

Rodin

vsAuguste Rodin

7 7.0

A French sculptor best known for the statue The Thinker

is identical in meaning but uses the full formal name and dates

Surface Forms

Auguste Rodin main

Morphology

Auguste + Rodin

This item is a proper name referring to a specific historical person, so its meaning (identity as a French sculptor and his works) is not compositionally derived from the constituent words. A B1 learner who merely knows the surface tokens 'Auguste' and 'Rodin' would not be able to infer the biographical or occupational information without prior exposure, so the expression is opaque.

Etymology

Auguste Rodin was a French sculptor who made people in stone and bronze look full of life and feeling. His famous statues The Thinker and The Kiss show strong emotion and natural poses. Because of these bold works, his name is now linked to 'modern sculpture' and to art that shows 'human feeling'.