Auguste RODIN (1840-1917) - Lot 156

Auguste RODIN (1840-1917) Nude woman three-quarters to the left, one arm raised, circa 1900 Graphite, shading, watercolor and light gouache on wove paper. Unsigned. Inscription in blue pencil on the back: "263" and twice the red stamp of the André Schoeller collection. 32x23cm Provenance: Probably acquired at the after-death sale of the André Schoeller collection, Hôtel Drouot, May 14-15-16, 1956, room no. 6, no. 14 under the title Nu debout, fond bleu (not reproduced). A certificate of inclusion in the Catalogue raisonné of Auguste Rodin's drawings in preparation by Madame Christina Buley-Uribe, dated June 1st, will be given to the purchaser. The preparatory sketch for the drawing of Femme nue de trois quarts vers la gauche has been identified in the collections of the Musée Rodin (inventory no. D.540). Here, Rodin's primary aim was to restore the volume and fleshy density of the model, while retaining certain spontaneous aspects of the sketch, such as the doubling of the feet. What had been a sketch on the spot, with a few corrections, has been transformed into a real drawing/painting, and the overall effect is absolutely masterly. The figure has been submerged under a deep blue wash (the same effect can be found in other drawings in the Rodin museum (e.g. inventory no. D. 4558).