In pictures: Rodin exhibition

Best known for his sculpture of The Kiss, French artist Auguste Rodin will be the subject of a forthcoming exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts in London.

Born in Paris in 1840, Rodin began drawing at the age of 10. His application to the renowned Ecole des Beaux-Arts was rejected three times.

Aged 35, Rodin travelled to Italy where he studied the work of Michelangelo. His trip inspired some of his most remarkable works including his sculpture of St John the Baptist.

In 1880, Rodin was commissioned to create a portal for the Museum of Decorative Arts. Although it was never built, Rodin worked for 37 years on the Gates of Hell, until his death in 1917.

The Thinker, originally titled the Poet, was intended to form part of the landscape of The Gates of Hell, but eventually was enlarged to become a renowned work in its own right.

In 1883, Rodin met and fell in love with the 18-year-old sculptress Camille Claudel (pictured), who became his muse for 15 years.

Rodin's relationship with Camille informed many of his works in the 1890s, but the pair parted ways and he married his long-time companion Rose Beuret shortly before he died. The exhibition runs from 23 September to 1 January in London.

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