This lovely sculpture is by the muse of Rodin, Camille Claudel. It has been widely described as a minor masterpiece and was conceived and executed while she and Rodin were lovers, though the affair ended badly and was a tragic foretelling of her future life. There was a beautiful orchestral piece of the same name written some 30 years later that expresses the piece quite well, though there is no link or view of any connected inspiration.
La Valse, un poème choréographique (a choreographic poem), is an orchestral work written by Maurice Ravel In his tribute to Ravel after the composer's death in 1937, Paul Landormy described the work as follows:
"....the most unexpected of the compositions of Ravel, revealing to us heretofore unexpected depths of Romanticism, power, vigor, and rapture in this musician whose expression is usually limited to the manifestations of an essentially classical genius".
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brendaahearn 37 months ago
Dear Scott, Six years ago I fell in love with Camille Claudel's La Valse. Your photograph of this sculpture is the only one I have seen that captures the same sense of romance and movement that the original work conveys. The photograph is nothing less than exquisite. I wish I could put into words what the sculpture means to me. I cannot. But your photograph conveys that same deep meaning I am unable define. What I can say is that I am thrilled to have this print for my home. I shall treat it as a cherished art work and take joy in seeing it daily for the rest of my life. I send you my thanks and best wishes, Bren
waltzman 30 months ago
Erika,
Where could I buy a replica of this La Valse?
You mention your Mom had one.
I didn't know any had been reproduced and only a few were cast, I believe.
Maybe your Mom's was a real one?
Sid
sidhetzler@gmail.com USA
erika eve 30 months ago
Hi Sid,
I think she inherited from my Great Grandmother from Germany. I doubt it's an original. I will ask her. In the Columbia River Gorge at the Maryhill Museum there exists a magnificent Rodin Collection. They may have one? Next time I'm there I will check as well.
Cheers
Erika
maktoufo 27 months ago
i was talking with my sister about Camille Claudel and how great artist she was . and im going to watch her Biography ;) thank u for the pic