Henry Becque - Auguste Rodin

A striking drypoint portrait of playwright Henry Becque by the French sculptor Auguste Rodin, featuring expressive, multi-angled views of the subject.

This drypoint print by Auguste Rodin depicts the French playwright Henry Becque. Rodin, primarily known for his sculpture, produced a limited number of prints throughout his career. This work demonstrates his ability to translate the tactile qualities of his modelling into the linear medium of etching and drypoint. The composition features three distinct views of the subject, arranged in a manner that suggests movement and psychological depth.

Rodin employs a vigorous, calligraphic line to define the features of the sitter. The hatching is dense in areas of shadow, creating a sense of volume that mirrors the three-dimensional approach he applied to his bronze and marble works. The background remains largely unworked, allowing the focus to rest entirely upon the facial expressions and the interplay of light across the features. The artist's monogram, AR, is visible on the right side of the print, integrated into the sketch-like strokes that surround the heads.

This print captures the essence of Becque, a figure associated with the naturalist movement in theatre. Rodin’s approach here is not one of rigid academic portraiture, but rather an exploration of character through rapid, expressive marks. The repetition of the head from different angles provides a multi-faceted view of the subject, a technique that allows the viewer to observe the sitter from multiple perspectives simultaneously. The paper texture and the ink quality are characteristic of late nineteenth-century printmaking techniques, where the plate was often worked directly to achieve a spontaneous, immediate effect. This piece offers a rare glimpse into the graphic output of a sculptor who viewed drawing and printmaking as essential components of his artistic practice.