Camille Claudel started her career very early. She was just 19 when she entered into the artistic profession. But it was shameful to note that when she died her character was almost forgotten. She was a sincere student of the famous sculptor of the time: Auguste Rodin. Claudel’s artistic works were exhibited in Salon d’ Automne and Salon des Independents.
Camille Claudel
Claudel’s nephew tried to get her body from the public grave but he was compelled to forget everything about Claudel. All the artworks of Claudel were about to lose the history of the world. She suffered a lot for decades. She is known to have won many academic awards. She was the victor and had magnificent personality. All credits should be given to the Musee Rodin, who brought this sharp-minded lady back to the world in 1984. He arranged exhibitions, especially including her artworks. The world portrayed the man as the beloved of Claudel. Her tragic romance and artistic talent were merged with Rodin. But all the efforts of Rodin have been succeeded in bringing back to the world. Her sculptural works are known to be very reminiscent and redolent. Her creations are very brave and strong. Nogent-sur-Seine museum in France is all set to host an event exhibiting the artistic career of the sculptor. It is the museum having world’s largest collection.
Sculpture of Camille-Claudel expressing sexual desire
Claudel was not an artist by birth; she became an artist because of her talent. She was compelled to marry and take care of the family but her destiny had something else for her. She used to make things using clay when she was 12. Noted sculptor Alfred Boucher recognized her inner talent. He motivated her family to let her become a sculptor. Now Claudel became his student. Her family shifted to Paris where she took admission in an art school. There she started aspiring for her career.
The very first creation of Camille-Claudel
Then Boucher won the Grand Prix de salon in 1881. He went to Florence giving the responsibility of Claudel to Rodin. Claudel started working at Rodin’s studio. Rodin was the master sculptor and Claudel was the aspirant. He identified her talent and gave her an opportunity to showcase herself in modeling. “The gates of Hell” is the world known artwork of both. The famous works of the duo are “The Burghers of Calais”. Their closeness was the reason for their romance. Rodin was 24 years older than Claudel. They became lovers soon. All this led to change in the artistic work of Rodin. Now he was more indulged in sensuality and love. “The Kiss” is the monumental sculptor depicting romance. It is known to be the most lovable work of this eminent artist.
Love-birds: Camille Claudel and Rodin
Rodin was a well-known artist but Claudel was struggling in her life. She got utmost support and aid from Rodin. Relationship with Rodin was a boon as well as a curse for her career. Rodin introduced her artworks to the world through various journalists. But the world judged her work on the basis of Rodin’s sculptures. She was very disheartened as she was too much compared with Rodin. There came a twist in the life of both the artists. Claudel wanted to sort out everything smoothly but Rodin disagreed to leave Beuret- who was his live-in-partner. Now this time, Rodin became the villain in the story.
Claudel was no less than Rodin. She wanted to be a victor and not victim. Time passed in a flash, Claudel abandoned Rodin. She started making her career on her own terms and conditions. She ignored all the ninnies and nitwits. She was questing for recognition only. In those days, Sculpting was done only through human figures. Being a woman, it was not easy for her to get nude models. It was a sort of battle for female artists. Camille had a sculpture in her blood. She wanted to make her mark. She sculpted nudes as well as nude couples. Her sculptures were very sexual and they were full of lust.
The sexual sculpture expressing way of Claudel’s working.
The artwork was so sexual that it was rejected by many. This was the reason she failed to get commissions. Claudel decided to change the material of her sculptors. She shifted from clay to marble. She didn’t have enough money so she herself used to sculpt and polish. Rodin, on the other hand, got this advantage as he used to delegate his responsibilities to his assistants. Claudel obtained government’s help for funding by applying to produces classic stone pieces. But the government refused to help as it was thought that the sculptures of Claudel were riskier to be funded.
Lack of money, lack of public support and break-up from Rodin led her to feel helpless. She became diffident. She was broken from inside. Ups and downs in her life stole all the energy and effort she would have put in. She was so frustrated that she herself destroyed many of her works. Fortunately, some of them retained and still, they are exhibited somewhere in the world.
Sculpture portraying Claudel’s life
She hated Rodin and his group. She named them “Rodin’s gang”. She accused them of all that what happened in her life. She was compelled to quit everything and leave. She was thrown out of the house. She spent her later life in an asylum where she lived for 30 years. Her family refused to take her responsibility. In the world, full of a variety of people, she was all alone. She succeeded in recognizing her career but failed to fulfill it successfully. When she died, she had no single well-wisher.
After her death, time passed in a flash. 10 years later, a poet showcased her artwork at the museum. IT was the time when female artists were not accorded recognition and respect. History of art witnessed only a few female artists. This time Claudel succeeded to be recognized as the vibrant and sharp sculptor. The influential poet was none other than Claudel’s brother.
What do you think?