La France
Bust
1906-1912 (made)
1906-1912 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This work originated from a portrait of the gifted sculptress, Camille Claudel (1864-1943), Rodin's pupil and mistress. However, it was made some years after they had separated and her features were mixed with those of another sitter, Mariana Russell, at the various stages of evolution of the design of this work. A photograph of 1903 by Bulloz of 'Work in Progress: La France' shows this, the final version, originated from a cast of Claudel's face. In earlier versions, the head faced to its right (as in a version Rodin presented to Glasgow University when he was awarded an honorary degree in 1906), but it was later reversed. At various times it was re-used and re-titled including as 'St George' from at least 1904 (the title Rodin gave to the Glasgow version), 'Byzantine Princess' and 'Empress of the Late Roman Empire'. In 1912, the head, with the title of 'France' was unveiled as part of - and the country France's contribution to - a monument to Samuel Champlain in New York. This was its title when Rodin presented this head to the V&A in 1914.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Title | La France (assigned by artist) |
| Materials and techniques | Bronze |
| Brief description | Bust, bronze, 'La France' by Auguste Rodin, French |
| Physical description | High relief comprising bust (a likeness of the gifted sculptress Camille Claudel) set into an arched recess within a panel. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions |
|
| Gallery label |
|
| Credit line | Given by Rodin in November 1914 |
| Object history | Originally the head faced to its right, but it was reversed and renamed 'St George' for a visit by Edward VII to Rodin's studio in 1908. At various other times the head was used by Rodin and retitled as the occasion demanded. In 1904 it was known as 'Byzantine Empress' and 'Bust of a Young Warrior'; in 1906 the head was reversed from the original position facing right, it was presented to the University of Glasgow which had given Rodin an honorary degree. When Rodin presented the work to the Victoria and Albert Museum in 1914 it was patriotically renamed 'La France'. |
| Summary | This work originated from a portrait of the gifted sculptress, Camille Claudel (1864-1943), Rodin's pupil and mistress. However, it was made some years after they had separated and her features were mixed with those of another sitter, Mariana Russell, at the various stages of evolution of the design of this work. A photograph of 1903 by Bulloz of 'Work in Progress: La France' shows this, the final version, originated from a cast of Claudel's face. In earlier versions, the head faced to its right (as in a version Rodin presented to Glasgow University when he was awarded an honorary degree in 1906), but it was later reversed. At various times it was re-used and re-titled including as 'St George' from at least 1904 (the title Rodin gave to the Glasgow version), 'Byzantine Princess' and 'Empress of the Late Roman Empire'. In 1912, the head, with the title of 'France' was unveiled as part of - and the country France's contribution to - a monument to Samuel Champlain in New York. This was its title when Rodin presented this head to the V&A in 1914. |
| Bibliographic references |
|
| Collection | |
| Accession number | A.39-1914 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | November 26, 2002 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
