Eve, Auguste Rodin
Auguste Rodin
Eve
DE
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Auguste Rodin

Eve, 1881 (casting ca. 1928 – 1942)


Dimensions
174.2 x 47 x 57 cm
Physical Description
Bronze
Inventory Number
St.P374
Acquisition
Acquired in 1953 as a gift from Georg Hartmann
Status
On display, 1st upper level, Modern Art, room 4

Texts

About the Work

Both shamefully and protectively, Rodin’s “Eve” wraps one arm around her upper body and uses the other to hide her face. The entire posture as well as her left hand’s defensive gesture are an expression of the realisation of the Fall. The sculpture was one of the first to be created in 1881/82 for the large project of the “Gates of Hell”. However, due to his model’s pregnancy, the plaster model remained unfinished in the studio. In 1899, Rodin still exhibited the sculpture because it was precisely the state of unfinishedness that was to prove significant for his work: “Eve” illustrates his important concept of “modelé”, the relinquishment of “worthless” details. At the same time, Rodin enlivened his sculptures with different types of surfaces and the associated play of light.

About the Acquisition

Georg Hartmann (1870–1954) came from an old Frankfurt family. It was under his direction that, beginning in 1898, the Bauersche Type Foundry expanded to become a major corporation. An art collector and member of the Städelscher Museums-Verein from 1920 onwards, in 1935 Hartmann also came to serve as administrator of the Städelsches Kunstinstitut. His collecting interests were directed primarily towards medieval sculpture, but he was also open to modern art. He initially acquired the ‘Eve’ in Paris for himself; in 1953 he bequeathed it to the Städel.

Audio

  • Basic information
    00:46
  • Focus on religion
    01:39
  • Exhibition “en passant. Impressionism in Sculpture” (2020)
    02:19

Work Data

Basic Information

Title
Eve
Sculptor (male)
Period Produced
Object Type
Physical Description
Bronze
Material
Technique

Property and Acquisition

Institution
Departement
Collection
Creditline
Städel Museum, Frankfurt am Main
Picture Copyright
Public Domain
Acquisition
Acquired in 1953 as a gift from Georg Hartmann

Work Content

Motifs and References

Genre
Main Motif
Persons Shown
Associated Persons and Institutions
Illustrated Passage
  • Dante Alighieri: Die göttliche Komödie

Iconclass

Primary
  • 11I63(EVE) Eve (not in biblical context)
  • 31AA the (nude) human figure; 'Corpo humano' (Ripa) - AA - female human figure
  • 31A2313 standing on one leg

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Last update

13.03.2024