Auguste RODIN (1840-1917)
Small head with snub nose
Model created around 1880.
Bronze proof with light brown patina.
Sand casting probably by Auguste Griffoul between 1898 and 1900.
Signed A. Rodin on the right side of the neck.
H. 13 W. 11 D. 7,5 cm
Resting on a marble base H. 10 cm
Provenance :
Private collection, Germany, since 1920.
Related work:
Auguste Rodin, Petite tête au nez retroussé, or Minna Schrader de Nyzot?, circa 1880-1890, cast before 1916,
bronze, sand casting, signed A. Rodin under the left ear, bears the mark of the founder A. RUDIER
FONDEUR / PARIS on the back of the base, H. 18.5 W. 10.5 D. 9 cm, Paris, Musée Rodin, n°inv. S.00631.
Related literature:
- Antoinette Le Normand-Romain, Rodin et le bronze: catalogue des oeuvres conservées au musée Rodin, Paris,
Musée Rodin, Réunion des musées nationaux, 2007, vol. 2, model listed under n°S.631, p. 670;
- Elisabeth Lebon, Dictionnaire des fondeurs de bronze d'art, France 1890-1950, Perth, Marjon éd. 2003, pp. 172
à 174.
The model of this Petite tête au nez retroussé is undoubtedly Minna Schrader de Nyzot whose history and identity are
history and identity are a bit confused. At most, we know that she also posed for Saint-Marceaux and Raffaëlli.
Rodin sculpted her portrait with a gentle and peaceful expression around 1880 in the continuity of his work
around the small heads of the Damned that he intended to incorporate into the tympanum of the Gates of Hell. There are
There are different variants of this small bronze which is more like a mask. Our example was kept in a German collection
in a German collection since at least 1920. The Rodin Museum keeps in its archives the trace of an order for two
of two copies of this small head by the Koenigs family, collectors in Cologne. Although many posthumous
many posthumous casts of the Small Head with Snubbed Nose by Rudier are known, very few copies were cast by Auguste Griffoul during the lifetime of the Meudon master. We can therefore assume that our
small mask coming from across the Rhine is one of these two specimens ordered to the sculptor during his lifetime by
the Koenigs. Auguste Griffoul is the son of Jean-Baptiste Griffoul who worked, for a time associated with François
Rudier, almost exclusively for Rodin. Auguste, as for him, encounters financial difficulties and if he
for Rodin at the end of the 1890s, he emigrated to the United States where his talent and skills enabled him to
allowed him to obtain numerous commissions.
Our Minna mask is a rare and beautiful testimony of the artistic and benevolent complicity that Rodin had with his founders.
Rodin had with his founders. The sculptor who was to be attached to this intimate portrait kept a copy
and had himself photographed around 1900 in Meudon, at his work table, face to face with the mask of Minna (Photo
anonymous, ca. 1900, Paris, Musée Rodin, inv. Ph.721).
A notice of inclusion in the Catalogue critique de l'oeuvre
of the Rodin Committee under n°2021-6334B dated 30 March 2021
March 30, 2021 will be given to the buyer
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