Berlin (2011-2018): Homage to Auguste Rodin (Winter 2017): Roméo et Juliette

Auguste RODIN (1840-1917)Bronze 68,8 x 51,4 x 36,6 cmCast in 2015 by Fonderie de Coubertin, ParisInscribed A. Rodin, © by Musée Rodin and numbered, one of the eight examples numbered in Arabic numerals, dated and stamped with foundry mark PROVENANCEMusée Rodin, ParisOTHER CASTS IN PUBLIC COLLECTIONSLos Angeles, Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Foundation Aix-les-Bains, Musée Faure AUTHENTICATIONA certificate of authenticity, signed by the Director of the Musée Rodin, is given to every purchaser of an original bronze by Auguste Rodin.This work will be included in the forthcoming Auguste Rodin catalogue critique de l’oeuvre scultpé currently being prepared by the Comité Auguste Rodin at Galerie Brame et Lorenceau under the direction of Jérôme Le Blay. NOTESWe are indebted to the Musée Rodin for the following: This group, displayed for the first time in 1902 at an exhibition of Rodin's work in Prague, shows a languid Juliet clasping Romeo, who has adopted a pose similar to the ignudi of the Sistine Chapel in order to climb over the balcony. The group occupies a special place in Rodin’s post-1900 production. Subjects drawn from literature were quite unusual for him during that period; moreover, he did not hesitate to give this group a descriptive character by introducing accessory details such as the balcony balustrade. Bearing in mind that in 1900 Rodin had received an order for two replicas of Le Baiser, which were immediately executed for Warren and Jacobsen, should we discern in Roméo et Juliette a veiled reference to Paolo and Francesca, that other famous literary couple?
Roméo et Juliette, 1902

 

Auguste RODIN (1840-1917) 

Bronze  

68,8 x 51,4 x 36,6 cm 

Cast in 2015 by Fonderie de Coubertin, Paris 

Inscribed A. Rodin, © by Musée Rodin and numbered, one of the eight examples numbered in Arabic numerals, dated and stamped with foundry mark  

PROVENANCE 

Musée Rodin, Paris 

OTHER CASTS IN PUBLIC COLLECTIONS 

Los Angeles, Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Foundation  

Aix-les-Bains, Musée Faure  

AUTHENTICATION 

A certificate of authenticity, signed by the Director of the Musée Rodin, is given to every purchaser of an original bronze by Auguste Rodin. 

This work will be included in the forthcoming Auguste Rodin catalogue critique de l’oeuvre scultpé currently being prepared by the Comité Auguste Rodin at Galerie Brame et Lorenceau under the direction of Jérôme Le Blay.  

NOTES 

We are indebted to the Musée Rodin for the following:  

This group, displayed for the first time in 1902 at an exhibition of Rodin's work in Prague, shows a languid Juliet clasping Romeo, who has adopted a pose similar to the ignudi of the Sistine Chapel in order to climb over the balcony. The group occupies a special place in Rodin’s post-1900 production. Subjects drawn from literature were quite unusual for him during that period; moreover, he did not hesitate to give this group a descriptive character by introducing accessory details such as the balcony balustrade. Bearing in mind that in 1900 Rodin had received an order for two replicas of Le Baiser, which were immediately executed for Warren and Jacobsen, should we discern in Roméo et Juliette a veiled reference to Paolo and Francesca, that other famous literary couple?