Lot Essay
In 1880 Rodin proposed to flank the Gates of Hell with monumental figures of Adam and Eve. Adam was nearly complete when he began work on Eve, exhibiting a half life-size version of it in London in 1883. It was not until 1899 that the sculptor displayed the life-size Eve at the Paris Salon.
The present sculpture is a study for Eve which Rodin used again in 1912-13, together with a figure of Adam, in the preliminary design for a fireplace. In contrast to the rather subdued later version of Eve, the present sculpture is more expressive in its movement.
The present sculpture is a study for Eve which Rodin used again in 1912-13, together with a figure of Adam, in the preliminary design for a fireplace. In contrast to the rather subdued later version of Eve, the present sculpture is more expressive in its movement.