Alsatian Orphan
Alsatian Orphan is a sculpture by French artist Auguste Rodin (1840–1917). Created early in his career, it belongs to the decorative works and pieces that helped establish his reputation. The bust shows a young girl with her head slightly tilted to one side, her childlike face expressing a soft melancholy. She wears the distinctive headdress of Alsace, a region lost during the Franco-Prussian War in 1870. The work was described as having a silk head covering spread across the forehead like a butterfly with open wings. Considered one of Rodin’s first major successes, it was exhibited several times between 1871 and 1884 in materials including marble and terracotta. Multiple versions exist, including two held at Museo Soumaya in Mexico City.
May 2012 © Ji-Elle · CC BY-SA 3.0
May 2012 © Ji-Elle · CC BY-SA 3.0
1913 © Image François Rothier, texte Mme Sartor. Versement et modifications ː G.Garitan · Public domain
December 2025 © Gérald Garitan · CC BY-SA 4.0
December 2025 © Gérald Garitan · CC BY-SA 4.0
Identification | |
| Title | Alsatian Orphan |
| Type | Sculpture |
| Form | Bust |
| Original title | L'Orpheline Alsacienne |
Creator | |
| Artist | Auguste Rodin |
| Artist nationality | French |
| Artist lifespan | 1840–1917 |
Historical context | |
| Related work phase | Created during Rodin's decorative-pieces phase |
| Artistic context | Rodin made decorative pieces during this phase |
| Creation period | Early in Rodin's career |
Physical characteristics | |
| Version 1 dimensions | 39.1 × 22.7 × 19.4 cm |
| Subject | A girl |
| Pose | Head slightly inclined to one side |
| Expression | Soft melancholy, childlike face |
| Headwear | Typical Alsatian headdress |
| Headwear appearance | Silk veil arranged like a butterfly spreading its wings across the forehead |
| Version 2 dimensions | 36.2 × 22.3 × 17.7 cm |
Iconography and meaning | |
| Historical reference | Alsace was lost during the Franco-Prussian War in 1870 |
| Description | Described as "L'exemplaire" |
Significance | |
| Artistic significance | Considered one of Rodin's first great successes |
Discovery and provenance | |
| Exhibition history | Exhibited several times between 1871 and 1884 |
| Versions | Several versions of the work exist |
| Known formats/materials exhibited | Marble and terracotta |
Location and ownership | |
| Current location | Museo Soumaya, Mexico City |
| Number of versions at Museo Soumaya | Two |
| Version 1 title at Museo Soumaya | Huérfana Alsaciana / L'Orpheline Alsacienne |
| Version 2 title at Museo Soumaya | Huérfana Alsaciana, version with head turned to the right / L'Orpheline Alsacienne, version avec tête droit |
Materials | |
| Version 1 material | White marble |
| Version 2 material | Terracotta |
History and restoration | |
| Version 2 date | Made between 1877 and 1878 |