Atlantes et cariatides de Rodin pour deux immeubles bruxellois

Abstract

Telamones and Caryatids by Rodin for Two Buildings in Brussels. Between 1872 and 1874, Rodin, working in Brussels, created a décor consisting of one caryatid and two telamones for each of two buildings located, respectively, at 33-35 and 37-39 boulevard Anspach. These two buildings no longer exist. However, the original stucco figures from no. 37-39, as well as two series of copies cast in plaster, the caryatid and the two telamones, are today in the collection of the Musée Rodin in Meudon. There are two other series of these figures in Brussels and in Japan. Restorations were carried out on three telamones in the collection of the Musée Rodin (one in stucco ; the other two, in plaster). A study of the technique used to make the original statues has confirmed that moulded stucco was used for these figures ; a technique rarely used for this type of monumental sculpture. The stucco was originally painted with a coloring that imitated stone ; it was then repainted several times before the statues were taken down in 1929. An examination of the two plaster telamones in the Musée Rodin showed that they had been cast, in 1929, in the moulds made in Brussels from the original stucco statues before they were taken down. All the plaster series were done from these moulds, and by the same atelier.