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Arp/Rodin
Extramural
For the first time, a museum exhibition brings into dialogue Auguste Rodin (1840–1917) and Hans Arp (1886–1966), pairing the groundbreaking work of late 19th-century sculpture’s great reformer with the influential work of a major protagonist of 20th-century abstract sculpture.
Both artists displayed exceptional artistic inventiveness and enthusiasm for experimentation. Their works left a deep imprint on their times and retain their full relevance to this day. The sculptural milestones created by Rodin and Arp provide remarkable illustrations of fundamental aspects in the development of modern sculpture. Rodin introduced transformational ideas and new artistic possibilities, which Arp later took up, developed, reinterpreted or contrasted in his biomorphic shapes. The two artists’ exceptionally prolific and varied oeuvres display many artistic affinities and shared references, as well as marked differences, turning the confrontation of their distinctive works into a particularly revealing visual experience.
With around 110 works from international museums and private collections, Rodin/Arp is one of the most extensive sculpture exhibitions ever staged at the Fondation Beyeler. It brings together many iconic works by both artists as well as rarely shown sculptures, reliefs and works on paper.
The exhibition was conceived by the Fondation Beyeler, Riehen/Basel, in cooperation with the Arp Museum Bahnhof Rolandseck, Remagen, and organized in collaboration with the Musée Rodin, Paris.
