Auguste Rodin depicts the ancient Greek goddess Iris in Iris, Messenger of the Gods.
In Greek mythology, Iris is the personification of the rainbow and a messenger of the gods. Rodin’s sculpture presents a highly dynamic female figure, with one leg raised and the body twisted to emphasize movement. The pose has often been interpreted as evoking flight and energetic physical action.
Rodin created the work in the late nineteenth century, and it is also known by the subtitle Femme-volante, or “Flying Woman.” Its bold viewpoint and abbreviated form show Rodin’s interest in suggesting motion rather than presenting a static, fully conventional nude.
Iris is sometimes mistaken for Nike, the Greek goddess of victory, because both figures can be shown with wings or in flight. Rodin’s title identifies this work specifically with Iris.