Rodin, Auguste

François Auguste René Rodin ( / r oʊ ˈ d æ n / ; [ 1 ] .mw-parser-output.IPA-label-small{font-size:85%}.mw-parser-output.references.IPA-label-small,.mw-parser-output.infobox.IPA-label-small,.mw-parser-output.navbox.IPA-label-small{font-size:100%} French: [fʁɑ̃swa oɡyst ʁəne ʁɔdɛ̃] ; 12 November 1840 – 17 November 1917) was a French sculptor [ 2 ] generally considered the founder of modern sculpture. [ 3 ] He was schooled traditionally and took a craftsman-like approach to his work. Rodin possessed a unique ability to model a complex, turbulent, and deeply pocketed surface in clay. He is known for such sculptures as The Thinker , Monument to Balzac , The Kiss , The Burghers of Calais , and The Gates of Hell .