Rodo

Rodo (actually Auguste de Niederhäusern; born April 2, 1863 in Vevey, † May 23, 1913 in Munich) was a Swiss sculptor. He is one of the most famous Swiss representatives of symbolism.

Biography

The son of a merchant, attended art school and art school in Geneva. In 1886 he moved to Paris to complete at the Académie Julian ( under Henri Chapu ) and at the École des beaux -arts ( under Alexandre Falguière ) his education. Auguste de Niederhäusern henceforth spent almost his entire life in Paris. He was close to the anarchists and frequented the circles of mystics and Symbolists. Included, among other things, Antoine Bourdelle, François Pompon and Ferdinand Hodler to his friends.

In 1892 he participated in the exhibition of the Salon de la Rose -Croix and had the following six years, an employee of Auguste Rodin. Inspired by him, he slept with the stage name Rodo. In 1895 he was commissioned to create a monument to Paul Verlaine; this could be unveiled in 1911 at the Jardin du Luxembourg. In 1900 he participated in the Paris Exposition; for his busts of Ferdinand Hodler and Georges Favon he received the gold medal each. More busts he made of Giovanni Giacometti and Cuno Amiet.

Between 1900 and 1902 contributed several works to Rodo under construction at the Federal Palace in Bern: Located on the top of the gable a three-part sculptural group symbolizing the political independence of the executive and the legislature; also he created the keystones of the arched windows of the south facade. 1912 Rodo was inducted into the Legion of Honor. His last work Jérémie he introduced in 1913 shortly before his death completed; since 1931 is this statue in front of the cathedral Saint- Pierre in Geneva. During a stay in Munich, where he wanted to present three reliefs for a planned " Temple of melancholy ," he died at the age of 50 years.