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Sakuntala by Camille Claudel

Sakuntala is a sculpture by French artist Camille Claudel, created in several versions and media beginning in 1886. It depicts a young couple, with a man kneeling and embracing a woman who leans toward him. The work takes its name from Kālidāsa’s fourth- to fifth-century play Shakuntala and is inspired by the moment when Shakuntala reunites with her husband Dushyanta after a long separation. A terracotta study from around 1886 is in the Musée d’Orsay in Paris, and a finished plaster version from 1888 is in the Musée Bertrand in Châteauroux. A marble version completed in 1905, renamed Vertumnus et Pomona, is in the Musée Rodin in Paris, and bronze casts from 1905 were made for Eugène Blot under the title L'Abandon.

Sakuntala bronze sculpture of two nude figures in an intimate embrace
Sakuntala by Camille Claudel, showing two nude figures in a close embrace with a greenish bronze patina.
August 2018 © · CC BY 2.0
Sakuntala, a dark bronze sculpture of two nude figures in an embrace, with one standing and supporting the other kneeling.
Sakuntala by Camille Claudel, shown as a dark bronze sculpture of two intertwined nude figures.
© · CC BY-SA 2.0
Sakuntala sculpture showing two intertwined figures in an embrace, one leaning over a kneeling figure.
Sakuntala by Camille Claudel, showing two figures locked in an intimate embrace.
June 2018 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Sakuntala sculpture showing two intertwined figures in a rough terracotta embrace.
Sakuntala by Camille Claudel, shown here as two intertwined figures in terracotta.
June 2018 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Sakuntala, a white marble sculpture of two nude figures embracing closely with their heads pressed together.
Sakuntala in white marble, showing two figures in a tender embrace.
© photographed by uploader. Sculpture is by Camille Claudel · Public domain

Identification

TitleSakuntala
Plaster version1888; Musée Bertrand, Châteauroux
Marble version1905; Musée Rodin, Paris
Bronze versionFrom 1905; made for Eugène Blot and shown at the Autumn Salon under the title L'Abandon
Alternative titlesSakountala; Çacountala; Vertumnus et Pomona; L'Abandon
First designsTwo terracotta designs made in 1886
Terracotta studyAround 1886; Musée d'Orsay, Paris
TypeSculpture / sculpted group

Creator

Related later workFrom the female figure of Śakuntalā, Claudel later created her Niobid
ArtistCamille Claudel
Artist nationalityFrench

Historical context

InspirationKālidāsa's Shakuntala, an ancient Indian drama
Third design dateCirca 1887/88
Autobiographical cycleThe work inaugurates a cycle of works described as autobiographical and based on literary, mythological, or symbolic references
VersionsCreated in several versions between 1886 and 1905, in different media
Date first created1886
Narrative sourceThe reunion of Śakuntalā and her husband Dushyanta after a long separation
Second version exhibitionSalon of 1888
Third design statusLost

Physical characteristics

Style and emotional qualityThe figures are stretched toward one another in an intense, profound emotion; the style is expansive and intimate
First design dimensions22 × 19 × 12 cm and 17 × 14 × 12 cm
Figure descriptionThe king kneels, raises his head toward Śakuntalā, stretches toward her, and holds her at the waist; Śakuntalā bends toward him, yields to tenderness, and rests her head on his head
Depicted figuresŚakuntalā and the king Dushyanta
SubjectA young couple: a kneeling man embracing a woman leaning toward him
Original scaleLife-size
Depicted momentThe moment when the lovers reunite and embrace

Materials

Third design materialProbably clay or plaster
Final sculpture materialPatinated plaster
Bronze materialBronze
Later materialMarble
Second version materialPlaster
Original materialTerracotta

Technique

Marble finishPolished surface
Bronze castingCast by Eugène Blot

History and restoration

Re-displayDisplayed again at the museum in 1995
DonationDonated in 1895 to the Musée Bertrand, Châteauroux
Neglect and rediscoveryLeft in damp storage, rediscovered in 1975 by Jacques Cassar, then restored
Second version receptionAwarded an honorable mention at the Salon of 1888

Location and ownership

Current locationMusée Bertrand, Châteauroux

Significance

Artistic significanceOne of Camille Claudel's first major masterpieces; it brought her artistic recognition and inaugurated her own aesthetic, distinct from Rodin's
ReceptionThe marble version is described as the most accomplished and most admired version
Critical receptionL'Abandon has been described as one of the most famous and recognized masterpieces created by Camille Claudel
Interpretive noteThe work has been said to reflect Claudel's own life

Other

Related personal contextClaudel arrived in Paris in 1882, began studying sculpture in 1882, worked with Auguste Rodin from 1884, separated from him after 1892, moved away in 1898, and opened her own studio in 1898