New OKC exhibition celebrates the work of famed French sculptor Auguste Rodin

Most art lovers – even casual ones – immediately connect Auguste Rodin (1840–1917) to The Thinker, one of the most famous sculptures in history. A new exhibition at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art (OKCMOA) sheds light on Rodin’s other significant works as well as his legacy.

“True Nature: Rodin and the Age of Impressionism” opens to the public June 17. Nearly 100 works will be on display, including 60 by Rodin. The exhibit features not only sculptures (in both bronze and marble), but also paintings, prints, and photography by Rodin and his contemporaries such as Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Paul Cézanne.

“Rodin was the most important sculptor of the modern age, creating a series of legendary works that addressed concerns similar to those of his Impressionist friends like Monet with increased naturalism and attention to movement,” said OKCMOA CEO and President Michael Anderson, PhD. “This blockbuster traveling exhibition comes from the Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s world-class permanent collection. Its stop in Oklahoma City will be the last opportunity for people to experience it in the United States before it makes its way to Japan,” he said. 

Recognized as one of the greatest sculptors since the Renaissance, Rodin pioneered an approach to his art that aimed to not only capture the physicality of his subjects but also their psychology.

“True Nature: Rodin and the Age of Impressionism” is on display until Oct. 22, 2023. Tickets are available now. Demand is expected to be extremely high and early ticket purchases are encouraged.   

Tickets are available at okcmoa.com, in person or by calling the museum at (405) 236-3100.