Camille Claudel (1864-1943)
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Perhaps the most famous and talented female sculptor to ever live, Camille Claudel was both student and mistress to the sculptor Rodin. Together the two had a volatile and passionate private and professional relationship, and Claudel lived a life of drama that ended sadly like so many other artists. Certainly, many portray Claudel as being nothing without the assistance of Rodin, but this is a grave misinterpretation. Claudel had a talent and passion for sculpture far before she was ever associated with Rodin, and in better circumstances, may have been more successful in her lifetime.
Born in Aisne, France, Claudel moved to Paris with her family around 1881. As a child, Claudel was fascinated with stones and minerals, so her future love of sculpting should have come as no surprise. She began her studies at the Academie Colarossi, which was one of the few art schools open to female students at the time. In 1893 Claudel became an assistant in Rodin’s studio.
At this time, Rodin was at the height of his popularity among the French social elite. For a while, Claudel found great success herself, and did not need the name of the great Rodin to elevate her to success. She had a number of commissions and patrons and found regular work in the beginning, but this was not to last.
Claudel was desperate to separate herself from Rodin’s name and wanted to create an identity all her own. Therefore, she became rather reclusive and did not typically mingle amongst other artists. Sadly, this may have been a cause of her mental decline, mixed with Rodin’s eventual rejection. The two never lived together because Rodin would not leave the other woman in his life. An abortion was rumored to be the cause of the end of their relationship in 1892, though the two continued to see each other through 1898.
By 1905, Claudel had begun to completely lose her sanity. She was known to disappear for long periods of time, and destroyed a number of her statues (an estimated 90 in total). She even accused Rodin of plotting to kill her and of stealing her ideas, a result of her increasing paranoia. Claudel was eventually committed to an asylum in 1913 where she remained for thirty years until her death.
Claudel faced a number of obstacles in her quest to become a sculptor. Not only was she a woman, but also was shamed by her family and society because of her relationship with Rodin. Her critics were also harsh to Claudel after her exhibitions, citing that her beautiful sculptures were far too sensual and provocative.
Today, her works are housed worldwide and contemporary critics now notice the mastery of her sculpture. However, because of the tumultuous state of her life, especially towards the end, the possibility for owning one of her pieces is great. No one really knows what she may have done in the midst of her insanity, be it selling statues at any price, or giving them away to strangers.
If you believe you own a work of art by Camille Claudel, contact Art Experts. We authenticate, appraise, research and provide Certificates of Authenticity (COA’s) for works by Camille Claudel.