Danaid (Danaïde)

probably 1903

This sculpture depicts one of the Danaids of Greek mythology. After murdering their husbands on their wedding night, the Danaids were condemned to the endless task of filling leaking vessels with water. Auguste Rodin’s Danaid has collapsed in exhaustion and despair, having realized the futility of her actions. Although the overturned jug links the composition to its mythological source, Rodin was primarily interested in the expressive potential of the nude female form, here presented in a pose that is both sensual and frank.

Rodin supervised and authorized the production of marble sculptures, such as this one, that were made by a skilled stone carver working from the artist’s clay or plaster model.