Auguste Rodin (1840 -1917) Pensive Bust of the Duchesse de
Choiseul H. 39.4 cm ; W. 36 cm ; D. 22.2 cm Rodin showed his
sense of humour at the exhibition in Grosvenor House, London, by
placing back-to-back the two versions, pensive and smiling, of
his bust of the Duchesse de Choiseul. The American-born Claire
Coudert (1864-1919) married Charles-Auguste de Choiseul-Beaupré
in 1891, in New York, before becoming a duchess in 1909. She
burst into Rodin’s life shortly before 1907 with a vitality that
swept the old master off his feet. Until 1912, she exerted a
very powerful influence over the sculptor and gradually cut him
off from his friends and relations. She took Rodin’s business
dealings in hand, even making declarations such as, “Rodin! I am
Rodin!” (Tirel, 1923). The sculptor began working on her bust in
1908. After the first pensive, slightly austere version, shown
here, he soon moved on towards a smiling, cheerful portrait of
the sitter, no doubt more in keeping with reality. With
prominent cheekbones, ra