Caresse-moi donc, chéri - Auguste Rodin

A delicate figure study by Auguste Rodin, featuring a minimalist line drawing enhanced with soft watercolour washes.

Auguste Rodin, primarily known for his bronze and marble sculpture, produced a significant body of drawings and prints throughout his career. This work, titled Caresse-moi donc, chéri, originates from the illustrations created for Octave Mirbeau's Le Jardin des supplices. The image depicts a female figure from behind, captured in a pose of relaxed grace. Her arms are raised above her head, creating a fluid silhouette that emphasises the natural curvature of the spine and hips.

Rodin utilised a minimalist approach in this composition. The primary focus is the economy of line, which defines the form without the need for heavy shading or anatomical rigidity. A delicate watercolour wash in soft, flesh-toned hues provides subtle volume to the figure, allowing the paper to act as a light source. The artist's signature is visible in the lower left corner, executed with the same fluid confidence seen in the figure's outline.

This print reflects the artist's interest in the human form as a vehicle for emotional expression. By stripping away background detail, Rodin directs the viewer's attention to the gesture and the physical presence of the subject. The work demonstrates his ability to translate the tactile qualities of his sculptural practice into a two-dimensional medium. The composition is balanced and quiet, avoiding unnecessary ornamentation to maintain a focus on the human silhouette. It remains a representative example of his later graphic work, where he moved away from academic precision toward a more spontaneous, expressive style. The print is a study in movement and anatomy, demonstrating how a few well-placed lines can convey a sense of weight and posture.