Iris Waking a Nymph (Iris éveillant une nymphe)
European Art
Here, the deity Iris, messenger of the gods, eagerly alights on the knee of a shy nymph who recoils in surprise at this sudden incitement to love. Rodin frequently evoked nymphs, bacchantes, and other mythological personages in his works. This did not reflect an allegiance to classical literature, but rather recognition of the popularity of these kinds of titillating mythological subjects during the Second French Empire, when he was beginning his career. Often, as with this work, a mythological title provided an acceptable context for an erotic theme.
CAST BY
Émile Godard Fondeur, Paris
MEDIUM
Bronze
DATES
ca. 1885, cast 1979
DIMENSIONS
13 5/8 × 8 5/8 × 8 1/2 in., 16.5 lb. (34.6 × 21.9 × 21.6 cm, 7.48kg) (show scale)
MARKINGS
Back: "E. GODARD./FONDr"
Back: "© by Musée Rodin 1979"
SIGNATURE
Proper right, bottom: "A. Rodin"
INSCRIPTIONS
Proper right, bottom: "No 12"
COLLECTIONS
European Art
ACCESSION NUMBER
84.77.6
CREDIT LINE
Gift of Iris and B. Gerald Cantor
EXHIBITIONS
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is not on view
CAPTION
Auguste Rodin (French, 1840–1917). Iris Waking a Nymph (Iris éveillant une nymphe), ca. 1885, cast 1979. Bronze, 13 5/8 × 8 5/8 × 8 1/2 in., 16.5 lb. (34.6 × 21.9 × 21.6 cm, 7.48kg). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Iris and B. Gerald Cantor, 84.77.6. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 84.77.6_transp6258.jpg)
EDITION
Edition: 12/12
IMAGE
overall, 84.77.6_transp6258.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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