RODIN, AUGUSTE. (1840-1917). French sculptor; creator of The Thinker and other well-known masterpieces. ALS. (“Rodin”). 1p. 8vo. N.p., N.d. To a Dr. Lerault. In French with translation.
“I warmly recommend to you my friend Escoula, who has a large group at the Champs-Elysées Procris. He would be happy to have it purchased by the city. It is a remarkable work both in composition and execution, and you would make a great deal. Accept dear friend my devoted feelings…”
Rodin’s characteristic rough-hewn style and virtuoso technique made him the leading sculptor of his time and placed him at the vanguard of modern art. While working with live subjects, Rodin first executed his designs in clay which he then handed off to his numerous assistants to execute on a larger scale. Among those assistants was French sculptor Jean Escoula (1851-1911), recognized as a talented artist in his own right. Our letter likely refers to the exhibition of Escoula’s marble sculpture The Death of Procris at the Salon de la Société des Artistes Français held annually at the Grand Palais des Champs-Elysées; Escoula presented a plaster cast of The Death of Procris at the Salon in in 1890. His marble sculpture, which Rodin says Escoula would like to have purchased by a municipality, is now exhibited on the grounds of Château de Rambouillet in Rambouillet, Yvelines.
With the original envelope. Folded once and very fine.
