The Walking Man, on a Column, a bronze sculpture by French artist Auguste Rodin (1840-1917), is on display at China Art Museum, Shanghai until Sept 26.

An iconic work symbolizing Rodin's modernity, The Walking Man depicts a body without head or arms perched on a column 2 meters high. This is the first time The Walking Man has been publicly exhibited in China.

Created in 1900, the sculpture is in the collection of Wu Jing, founder of Centre d'Art Rodin in Shanghai, an institution based in the former French Pavilion of the World Expo 2010.

Shanghai's Centre d'Art Rodin opened last September, during the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and France. With approval of the French president's office, the center managed to borrow six important cultural relics from Le Musee Rodin for its opening exhibitions.

Rodin's masterpieces including The Thinker, The Age of Bronze, Eve, Monument to Balzac, and several figures from The Burghers of Calais series — such as Jean d’Aire, Colossal Head, and Monumental Pierre de Wissant (dressed) — have all made their Chinese debuts at the center, alongside Wu's collection of 100 Rodin sculptures.

"According to convention, the loan duration is six months," Wu said. However, in March, the center applied for a six-month extension, which allows them to be exhibited in China until Sept 26.

China Art Museum, Shanghai is working with Centre d'Art Rodin in Shanghai to launch the Rodin Art Festival, a series of lectures, talk shows, guided tours and workshops for children.

"We are honored to have this masterpiece of Rodin, a globally-renowned sculptor on exhibition at China Art Museum, Shanghai," said Wang Yichuan, executive director of the museum.

With the museum receiving more than 1 million visits in 2025 as of the beginning of this month, Wang said they had "witnessed the constantly growing public enthusiasm for art and culture in Shanghai".

By hosting the Rodin Art Festival, she said they hoped to attract more visitors to experience the masterpieces of Rodin.