Camille Claudel & Rodin: Fateful Encounter

by Antoinette Le Normand-Romain, Camille Claudel, Auguste Rodin

Fateful Encounter focuses on the relationship between two headstrong artists who for a while worked in close collaboration and then tried to find their own separate ways. Although Camille was determined to carve out a niche of her own by focusing on her "sketches from nature" (scenes of daily life captured as they happened), she found it extremely difficult. Rodin fared better and in 1898 created Balzac, the work that he himself described as the "linchpin of his aesthetic". In 1899, with Rodin’s creation of another masterpiece, The Age of Maturity, Camille reaffirmed her desire to break off relations with him. From 1900, with Rodin at the forefront of the art scene, Camille gradually slid into madness and was soon unable to create. Fateful Encounter is the catalogue to an exhibition in which Camille and Rodin once more come face to face. It’s an illuminating joint appraisal of their work with each represented by an equal number of pieces of similar importance.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction

383 pages, Hardcover

First published September 28, 2005

Reviews

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a beautiful book! 14 years ago I went to the DIA to see the Fateful Encounter exhibit and I left with tears in my eyes. My little teenage heart was so swept away in the passion and romance of the affair of the two artists that the inevitable breakup and tragic conclusion to the tale left me shook. It took me years to hunt down this tome at a decent volume but I'm so happy I was able to find it! Gorgeous pictures of the artists' sketches and the pieces they were, of course not as impactful as seeing them in person, but were so detailed it was good enough. While at times the dates and names of the different salons got a bit overwhelming and I skimmed certain passages, on the whole it was an enjoyable read that went by quick. I think the story is told best side by side with the artwork illustrating the love story. The Waltz, the Kiss, the Age of Maturity...they all emote more than the letters that were also included in the book. Definitely recommend!

[Suzette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book accompanied an exhibit I saw years ago at the Detroit Institute of Arts. I was absolutely mesmerized by the exhibit, especially the talent of Camille Claudel.