From November 19, 2025, to March 15, 2026, the Institute for the Study of the Ancient World (ISAW) at New York University will host an extraordinary exhibition titled Rodin’s Egypt, marking the first time that Auguste Rodin’s engagement with ancient Egyptian art is presented in the United States. This exhibition brings together more than sixty of Rodin’s sculptures alongside artifacts from his personal collection of Egyptian antiquities, many of which have never been seen outside France. The display offers visitors a rare opportunity to explore the intricate dialogue between the aesthetics of ancient Egypt and the innovative vision of one of the most influential sculptors of the modern era.
Rodin’s fascination with ancient Egyptian art emerged in the late nineteenth century, a period when Egyptology was gaining prominence in France. Unlike many of his contemporaries, who were captivated by the monumental tombs, pharaohs, or grand historical narratives of Egypt, Rodin was drawn to the ways Egyptian artists represented the human form. He was less concerned with political history than with the methods through which ancient sculptors captured corporeality, stylized proportions, and the essence of the human figure. Over the course of his life, he collected over a thousand Egyptian artifacts, acquiring them through purchase, gifts, and inheritance from friends, dealers, and fellow artists. In 1916, he donated this remarkable collection to the French state, where it remains preserved at the Musée Rodin in Meudon, Paris. These objects not only showcase Rodin’s discerning eye as a collector but also reflect the depth of his engagement with art history and his exploration of the human form across time.
The exhibition is curated by Bénédicte Garnier of the Musée Rodin, in collaboration with Dr. Roberta Casagrande-Kim, and represents over fifteen years of meticulous documentation, research, and conservation work. By juxtaposing Rodin’s sculptures with the Egyptian artifacts that inspired him, the exhibition allows visitors to perceive the visual and conceptual connections between the two artistic traditions. For instance, Rodin’s monumental Monument to Balzac is displayed alongside small shrouded Egyptian figures, while The Succubus is paired with sphinx sculptures and bronze cats. These pairings make evident the ways in which Egyptian aesthetics informed Rodin’s understanding of the human body, suggesting parallels between the abstraction and spiritual resonance found in ancient works and Rodin’s own sculptural experiments. Greg Woolf, the Leon Levy Director of ISAW, noted: “Rodin’s Egypt is the product of profound collaboration between colleagues in Paris and New York. Through it, we invite visitors to juxtapose two aesthetics of corporeality—ancient Egyptian and Rodin’s modern vision—and to reflect on the various kinds of connections created through dialogue across time.”
Rodin’s engagement with Egyptian art went far beyond mere admiration or collection. His fascination deeply informed his sculptural practice, influencing his approach to form, material, and the representation of the human figure. One of his notable techniques involved the repeated use of plaster molds, which allowed him to recombine body parts into new compositions—a method reminiscent of the composite forms found in representations of Egyptian gods. In some works, he even integrated ancient artifacts directly, placing his plaster figures on Egyptian vessels, creating compositions that bridged millennia of artistic tradition. Through such experimentation, Rodin developed a unique sculptural language that was simultaneously modern and deeply rooted in the lessons of antiquity.
This exhibition also illuminates the broader cultural context of the so-called “Egyptomania” that swept across Europe in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. During this period, fascination with Egyptian art and culture extended beyond museums and academic circles into architecture, fashion, decorative arts, and literature. Rodin’s creative practice is emblematic of this cultural climate: his work demonstrates how artists of the time were inspired by non-Western artistic traditions, transforming ancient motifs into innovative modern expressions. The exhibition thus serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of art, history, and culture, illustrating the ways in which aesthetic ideas migrate and evolve across time and space.
From the perspective of artistic methodology, Rodin’s sculptures reveal a continual experimentation with form and material. His repeated use of plaster molds and recombination of body parts bears a conceptual resemblance to the modular and composite forms of ancient Egyptian deities. By placing contemporary sculptures alongside artifacts from antiquity, the exhibition highlights Rodin’s willingness to challenge conventional notions of artistic originality and to explore the interplay between tradition and innovation. The careful juxtaposition also allows viewers to appreciate the subtle ways in which ancient artistic principles—such as proportion, abstraction, and symbolic representation—were adapted to express the dynamism and emotion characteristic of Rodin’s work.
The exhibition also underscores the significance of art collecting as a cultural and scholarly practice. Rodin’s collection of Egyptian artifacts is more than a personal passion; it constitutes an invaluable resource for understanding both his artistic development and the intellectual currents of his time. Displaying these works publicly provides audiences with an opportunity to witness firsthand how an artist’s engagement with the art of another culture can inform and enrich their own creative practice. It also reflects the historical connections between artists, collectors, and scholars, illustrating the ways in which interdisciplinary exchange can foster new insights and aesthetic innovation.
Beyond its appeal to art historians and enthusiasts, Rodin’s Egypt carries important educational and public engagement value. The exhibition is supported by digital resources, including the Galleries @ ISAW guide accessible through the Bloomberg Connects app, offering in-depth information about the historical, cultural, and artistic significance of the displayed works. Visitors can explore the exhibition Wednesday through Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., with extended hours on Fridays until 8 p.m. Free guided tours are available on Fridays at 6 p.m. and Saturdays at 11 a.m., ensuring that audiences of all ages and backgrounds can engage meaningfully with the material. By providing multiple avenues for interpretation and learning, the exhibition encourages visitors not only to appreciate the aesthetic beauty of the works but also to consider the broader historical and conceptual frameworks in which they were created.
Through the careful juxtaposition of Rodin’s sculptures and Egyptian artifacts, the exhibition demonstrates how ancient art can continue to influence contemporary creativity. Visitors are invited to observe both the contrasts and resonances between the two artistic traditions, gaining insight into the enduring principles of form, balance, and expression. The dialogue established within the exhibition space allows audiences to witness firsthand the interplay between past and present, highlighting the ways in which historical knowledge can inform contemporary artistic practice.
Moreover, Rodin’s Egypt serves as a catalyst for scholarly research, providing abundant material for art historians and researchers interested in comparative studies, cross-cultural influence, and the history of collecting. The exhibition encourages a closer examination of Rodin’s artistic techniques in relation to the principles of Egyptian art, including the treatment of scale, the abstraction of form, and the spiritual or symbolic representation of the body. By situating Rodin’s work within a broader historical and cultural context, the exhibition invites new interpretations of both his oeuvre and the legacy of ancient Egyptian visual culture.
As a cultural event, Rodin’s Egypt extends beyond mere aesthetic enjoyment. It offers a platform for reflecting on the broader questions of creativity, cultural exchange, and the transmission of artistic knowledge across generations. Visitors can contemplate the ways in which artists draw inspiration from diverse sources, translating historical forms into contemporary expressions that resonate with modern audiences. The exhibition’s curatorial approach, emphasizing dialogue, juxtaposition, and interpretive richness, encourages viewers to consider not only what they see but also how these works communicate across time and space.
This exhibition also highlights the educational potential of museums and cultural institutions in fostering public engagement with art and history. By providing contextual information, digital resources, and guided tours, Rodin’s Egypt ensures that audiences gain a nuanced understanding of both the technical and conceptual dimensions of the works. Visitors are not merely passive observers; they become active participants in the exploration of artistic influence, cultural memory, and the ongoing conversation between past and present.
Ultimately, Rodin’s Egypt is a rare opportunity to experience the intersections of history, art, and cultural imagination. It reveals the profound ways in which ancient Egyptian aesthetics informed one of the most important sculptors of the modern era, offering fresh perspectives on both his work and the enduring legacy of Egyptian art. The exhibition allows audiences to appreciate the creativity, experimentation, and intellectual curiosity that defined Rodin’s approach, while simultaneously reconnecting with the visual and symbolic language of an ancient civilization.
For artists, scholars, and the general public alike, the exhibition offers a rich and immersive experience. It demonstrates how the past can inform the present, how cross-cultural dialogue can stimulate innovation, and how the study of historical art can deepen our understanding of contemporary artistic practice. By creating a space where ancient and modern works converse, Rodin’s Egypt invites visitors to reconsider the boundaries of time, tradition, and creative expression.
In sum, Rodin’s Egypt is not merely an exhibition; it is a journey across centuries, revealing the enduring power of art to inspire, to transform, and to connect human experience across generations. Through its careful curation, scholarly rigor, and educational programming, it underscores the importance of historical consciousness in the appreciation of modern art. Visitors leave with a deeper understanding of Rodin’s artistic vision, the aesthetics of ancient Egypt, and the timeless dialogue between past and present that continues to shape the world of art today.