French artist. Recognized as the progenitor of modern sculpture. Rodin never formally studied at d’Ecole des Beaux Arts; however, his use of marble, bronze, and clay as well as his attention to the human body illustrates a respect for traditional sculpture. His work challenged idealistic representations of the human form and introduced new, modern techniques of sculpture. Interested in exploring the human psyche and attempting to identify inner truths, Rodin’s sculpture is celebrated internationally.