Torso of Adele

Auguste Rodin (1840-1917)

As Judith Cladel, the friend and biographer of Rodin, suggested, this torso is probably a study for the caryatids Rodin made in 1878 at the Villa Neptune, on the Promenade des Anglais in Nice. But it is only towards 1889, in the final version of the lintel of the Gates of Hell, that it appears, with a right arm and both legs. This torso of Adèle - the name of the presumed model - subsequently became an autonomous figure.

The left arm folded bent backwards, the legs cut at the knee and turned towards the side in a torsion reminiscent of Michelangelo or Delacroix, accentuate the figure's curved and sensual shapes. There are about ten plaster models of this torso in the Museum, confirming Auguste Rodin's interest in this work, which served as a possible starting point for new compositions or a fragment transformed into a fully-fledged work.

This "piece", following the example of the fragments from his collection of antiques, is sufficient unto itself.  When Rodin removed some of the limbs from his figures, it was to concentrate on the essential and to strengthen their power of expression.

Each reproduction requires great expertise   and draws on the skills of the Rodin Museum's teams and craftsmen. It is from the official moulds from the museum's collections that the most accurate resin reproductions are made. They are then hand-patinated to give it the appearance of bronze, plaster or marble.

Finally, they are validated and checked by the Musée Rodin’s curators to ensure that they comply with moral rights.

Reproductions come with an explanatory note about the history of the work.

The seal and the mention “Reproduction - Musée Rodin” guarantee the quality and origin of the sculpture reproduction.