I hadn't heard of Camille Claudel till the day a friend called me to lunch without giving me her address. Somewhat wiser in the ways of the French, I took me and my free museum pass along the crowded Metro Ligne 13 down to Varenne. I was the only one to disembark there, and was greeted by a starkly empty platform... and two statues by Auguste Rodin. Varenne is the metro that gives access to the Musée Rodin. And it's in the Musée Rodin that I first saw sculptures by Camille Claudel, Rodin's long-time mistress.
Rodin's "The Thinker" and "The Door to Hell"("The Gates of Hell"?) need no introduction. If it does, Wikipedia can do the needful. On the other hand I don't think "The Girl with the Roses on her Hat(1875)", with her terrible, cavernous eyes, missing right ear and caved-in cheeks has received a fraction of the attention it deserves.
However, NOTHING by Rodin has been as undeservedly unnoticed as everything by Camille Claudel. Rather than spouting endless, unnecessary words about her, it's probably best to let her works talk for themselves.
1. Clotho (1893)
Clotho, daughter of Zeus, was one of the three Fates. The intricate detail of her knotted, flowing hair (or the thread of life she spins?) and her shrivelled flesh is a stark contrast to the strength and boldness of her posture.
2. The Bathers or The Wave (1897 -1903)
What startles me about this sculpture is the carefreeness of the bathers, just before they are engulfed by the huge wave that seems to have fists and fingers of its own. With the crest of the wave at eye level, it reminds me of an angry Triton.
What is truly, deeply saddening is the life of this woman. Read the Wikipedia article, it's taught me all that I know about her. I just bought her letters ("Correspondance" in French) for 12euro at the St. Ouen flea market this morning, and am planning to buy her biography (Dossier Camille Claudel) by Jacques Cassar. One can only hope that more people get to see and know of this woman's marvellous work.
Rodin's "The Thinker" and "The Door to Hell"("The Gates of Hell"?) need no introduction. If it does, Wikipedia can do the needful. On the other hand I don't think "The Girl with the Roses on her Hat(1875)", with her terrible, cavernous eyes, missing right ear and caved-in cheeks has received a fraction of the attention it deserves.
However, NOTHING by Rodin has been as undeservedly unnoticed as everything by Camille Claudel. Rather than spouting endless, unnecessary words about her, it's probably best to let her works talk for themselves.
1. Clotho (1893)
2. The Bathers or The Wave (1897 -1903)
What is truly, deeply saddening is the life of this woman. Read the Wikipedia article, it's taught me all that I know about her. I just bought her letters ("Correspondance" in French) for 12euro at the St. Ouen flea market this morning, and am planning to buy her biography (Dossier Camille Claudel) by Jacques Cassar. One can only hope that more people get to see and know of this woman's marvellous work.
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