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Premium Auguste Rodin (1840-1917) Woman's mask with snub nose, small…
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Auguste Rodin (1840-1917) Woman's mask with snub nose, small…
See original version (French)
Lot no. 75
Description
Auguste Rodin (1840-1917)
Woman's mask with snub nose, small model
Model created around 1885-1890; probably cast by Auguste Griffoul
Bronze with light brown patina
H. 13.2 x W. 10.8 x D. 8 cm, on an onyx base H. 5 cm
Provenance: Professor André Kuss; by descent
The model for this Small Head with Snub Nose is undoubtedly Minna Schrader de Nyzot, whose history and identity are somewhat unclear. The most we know is that she also posed for Saint Marceaux and Raffaëlli. Rodin sculpted her portrait, with its gentle, peaceful expression, around 1880, as a continuation of his work on the small heads of the Damned that he intended to incorporate into the tympanum of the Gates of Hell. There are different versions of this small bronze, which is more like a mask.
While many posthumous castings of the Petite tête au nez retroussé by Rudier are known, very few were cast by Auguste Griffoul during the sculptor's lifetime.
Auguste Griffoul was the son of Jean-Baptiste Griffoul who, for a time in partnership with François Rudier, worked almost exclusively for Rodin. Auguste, for his part, encountered financial difficulties and although he continued to work for Rodin at the end of the 1890s, he immigrated to the United States where his talent and skills enabled him to obtain numerous commissions. Our Minna mask is a rare and beautiful testimony to Rodin's artistic and benevolent relationship with his founders. The sculptor, who must have been attached to this intimate portrait, kept a copy and had himself photographed around 1900 in Meudon, at his work table, face to face with Minna's mask (Anonymous photo, around 1900, Paris, Musée Rodin, inv. Ph.721).
Related work :
-Auguste Rodin, Petite tête au nez retroussé, ou Minna Schrader de Nyzot?, circa 1880-1890, cast before 1916, bronze, sand casting, signed "A. Rodin" under the left ear, bears the founder's mark "A. RUDIER FONDEUR / PARIS" on the back of the base, H. 18.5 x W. 10.5 x D. 9 cm, Paris, Musée Rodin, n°inv. S.00631
Related literature :
-Antoinette Le Normand-Romain, Les bronzes de Rodin, catalogue des œuvres au musée Rodin, Paris, Musée rodin, RMN, 2007, vol. 2, pp. 670-671.
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