Lot Essay
This famous subject was conceived in 1884 and, although now universally known as L'Eternel Printemps, it was first called Zéphir et la Terre, Jeunesse or Idéal. It was first exhibited at the Salon of 1898 as Cupidon et Psyché.
Ionel Jianou wrote, "L'Eternel Printemps est l'image de l'amour dans toute sa ferveur. L'exaltation des formes assure la pureté de cette sculpture. Rodin s'élève au-dessus de la sensualité et du cas particulier par la force de généralisation et l'intensité de l'expression plastique". (I. Jianou, Rodin, Paris, 1970.)
Due to the increasing demand for this work, it was carved in marble and then cast in bronze by the Barbédienne foundry. Both the marble and the bronzes cast by Barbédienne were different from the original work in that the base was extended so that the right foot of the male figure might rest on the ground. Also, support was provided for the male figure's left arm in the form of a rocky outcrop, covered with a floral design.
Ionel Jianou wrote, "L'Eternel Printemps est l'image de l'amour dans toute sa ferveur. L'exaltation des formes assure la pureté de cette sculpture. Rodin s'élève au-dessus de la sensualité et du cas particulier par la force de généralisation et l'intensité de l'expression plastique". (I. Jianou, Rodin, Paris, 1970.)
Due to the increasing demand for this work, it was carved in marble and then cast in bronze by the Barbédienne foundry. Both the marble and the bronzes cast by Barbédienne were different from the original work in that the base was extended so that the right foot of the male figure might rest on the ground. Also, support was provided for the male figure's left arm in the form of a rocky outcrop, covered with a floral design.