A Hand in Bronze
By Rodin
The modern sculpture is, therefore, much more tragic than the older work.
One day, having studied this figure in the atelier for some moments in silence, I said:
“Master, no one admires this astonishing figure more than I, but I hope you will not be annoyed if I tell you the effect it produces upon many of the visitors to the Musée du Luxembourg, especially upon the women.”
“I shall be much obliged to you if you will.”
“Well, the public generally turn away from it, crying, ‘Oh, how ugly it is!’ and I have often seen women cover their eyes with their hands to shut out the sight.”
Rodin laughed heartily.
“My work must be eloquent,” he said, “to make such a vivid impression, and doubtless these are people who dread stern philosophic truths.
“But what solely matters to me is the opinion of people of taste, and I have been delighted to gain their approbation for my Vieille Heaulmière. I am like that Roman singer who replied to the jeers of the populace: Equitibus cano. I sing only for the nobles! that is to say, for the connoisseurs.
“The vulgar readily imagine that what they consider ugly in existence is not fit subject for the artist. They would like to forbid us to represent what displeases and offends them in nature.