Shanghai's Pudong New Area welcomed the opening of the Centre d'Art Rodin on Sept 27, featuring a landmark exhibition of authentic works by the renowned French sculptor Auguste Rodin.

The center, which has been upgraded from the former French Pavilion within the Shanghai Expo Culture Park by the riverside, marks a significant partnership with Musée Rodin. It also holds academic collaborations with the China Sculpture Institute and the Shanghai Academy of Fine Arts.

The inauguration ceremony was graced by notable figures including President of Centre d'Art Rodin Wu Jing, French Ambassador to China Bertrand Lortholary, Director of Musée Rodin Amélie Simier, President of the China Sculpture Institute Zeng Chenggang, and President of the Shanghai Public Diplomacy Association Zhou Hanmin, all of whom delivered speeches at the event.

Wu expressed her belief in the significance of museums in showcasing a nation's greatness. She emphasized her mission to bring the finest artworks from abroad to China, providing the Chinese populace, especially children, with the opportunity to appreciate exquisite artworks from around the world firsthand without the need to travel.

The exhibition, titled "Rodin: A Hinge Figure toward Modernity", will be open to the public for the next two years. It is structured into six main chapters and two special chapters, featuring over 100 authentic artworks ranging from sculptures to paintings and porcelain pieces.

The exhibition boasts numerous masterpieces on loan from Musée Rodin, including iconic works such as The Thinker, The Age of Bronze, Eve, Balzac, and The Burghers of Calais. Additionally, it showcases 30 works from artists closely associated with Rodin, as well as 17 Chinese artworks and objects collected by Rodin himself, reflecting his deep appreciation for Chinese culture.

One distinctive feature of the exhibition is its "bare" presentation, with no protective glass enclosures around the exhibits. Wu explained that the artworks will be displayed without barriers to allow visitors to view the pieces in varying light conditions, recognizing the impact of lighting on the experience of appreciating art.

The exhibition forms part of the art program commemorating the 60th anniversary of China-France diplomatic relations and the China-France Year of Culture and Tourism. The French ambassador hailed the collaboration between Musée Rodin and Centre d'Art Rodin as a testament to the cultural cooperation between the two nations, highlighting the power of such partnerships in fostering mutual understanding and appreciation of art and heritage.