Lot Essay
In 1892 American Loïe Fuller's veil dances at the Folies-Bergères became the rage of Paris. Her free and spontaneous approach to movement kindled in Rodin an interest in dance, and during this time he also became friendly with Isadora Duncan, who established a 'temple' to the cult of the Greek dance in Bellevue, near the sculptor's studio in Meudon. Rodin sketched her students in their movements, lamenting "if I had only known such models when I was young. Models who move and whose movement is in close harmony with nature." (R. Desharnes and J.-F. Chabrun, op. cit., p. 246)
In 1910-1919 Rodin executed a series of nine figures entitled Mouvements de danse. The plaster versions remain in the collection of the Musée Rodin, which cast them posthumously in bronze.
In 1910-1919 Rodin executed a series of nine figures entitled Mouvements de danse. The plaster versions remain in the collection of the Musée Rodin, which cast them posthumously in bronze.