Mable Rodin's sculpture replica fetches a price of one million dollars during an auction held in France
In a remarkable discovery, the long-lost 37-inch limestone sculpture "Despair" (Le Désespoir) by Auguste Rodin has been rediscovered after more than a century. The sculpture, originally thought to be a copy, was confirmed as an authentic piece of Rodin's work following a months-long investigation by Aymeric and Philippe Rouillac.
The sculpture, created in 1892, is an essential part of Rodin's work for "The Gates of Hell". It depicts a woman seated on a rock with one knee bent and straining to stretch the other leg, with her hands clasped around her foot, as described by the Musée Rodin, the leading authority on Rodin's work.
The original 37-inch limestone version of the sculpture is displayed at the Musée Rodin in Paris. However, the recently rediscovered piece has been on a fascinating journey. After being sold at auction in 1906, it went missing, only to resurface recently.
The marble sculpture, titled "Despair" (Le Désespoir) by Auguste Rodin, was sold for €860,000 ($1 million) at the 37th Garden Party Auction at Château de Villandry. The current owners of the sculpture contacted auctioneers Aymeric and Philippe Rouillac, who, along with their team, conducted a thorough investigation into the sculpture's origins.
The Comité Rodin, the leading authority on Rodin, confirmed the authenticity of the sculpture after the investigation. This confirmation marks a significant addition to the Rodin collection, making "Despair" (Le Désespoir) an even more rare and valuable piece of Rodin's work.
Interestingly, Auguste Rodin worked on multiple versions of "Despair" (Le Désespoir) due to positive critical reception to the original. In fact, a 13-inch bronze and marble version of the sculpture was sold for £785,000 by Sotheby's in 2015.
The rediscovery of "Despair" (Le Désespoir) is a testament to the enduring appeal of Rodin's work and the dedication of collectors and experts in preserving and celebrating the artist's legacy. The sculpture is now on display at the Cantor Arts Center at Stanford University, joining other notable versions of "Despair" (Le Désespoir) at the Rodin Museum in Philadelphia and the Musée Rodin in Paris.
- The rediscovered sculpture, originally by Auguste Rodin, is now part of a modern art museum collection at the Cantor Arts Center at Stanford University.
- The recently found sculpture, titled "Despair" (Le Désespoir), is a rare piece of fine art from the renowned modern artist, Auguste Rodin.
- The sculpture, "Despair" (Le Désespoir), sold for a substantial amount of $1 million at a recent auction, further underscoring the entertainment and financial value of Rodin's artwork.
- Apart from the long-lost limestone sculpture, multiple versions of "Despair" (Le Désespoir) exist, including a 13-inch bronze and marble piece that was sold for a high price in 2015.
