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Lot Essay
The Musée Rodin has confirmed the authenticity of this sculpture.
Rodin fell ill shortly after his arrival in Brussels, and was treated by Dr. Jules Thiriar, the personal physician to King Leopold II of Belgium. Rodin offered to sculpt Dr. Thiriar's portrait as payment for his services. Dr. Thiriar subsequently introduced Rodin to a group of connoisseurs and progressive collector's in Brussels, including the De Meeûs d'Argenteuil family who commissioned this sculpture. Rodin also executed the terra cotta portraits Dosio, Suzon and Mignon for other Belgian collectors during the period in which this work was executed.
Rodin fell ill shortly after his arrival in Brussels, and was treated by Dr. Jules Thiriar, the personal physician to King Leopold II of Belgium. Rodin offered to sculpt Dr. Thiriar's portrait as payment for his services. Dr. Thiriar subsequently introduced Rodin to a group of connoisseurs and progressive collector's in Brussels, including the De Meeûs d'Argenteuil family who commissioned this sculpture. Rodin also executed the terra cotta portraits Dosio, Suzon and Mignon for other Belgian collectors during the period in which this work was executed.