A Rare Sculpture Sold at Auction for Nearly $1 Million After Being Mistaken as a Fake
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By Emily Clarke
In a surprising turn of events, a sculpture that was long assumed to be a counterfeit Auguste Rodin piece has recently fetched an impressive sum of almost $1 million at an auction. The exquisite artwork, named Le Désespoir, had been tucked away from public view for nearly 120 years before making its way to the auction house Rouillac.
The sale of Le Désespoir was confirmed by auctioneer Aymeric Rouillac to CNN on Tuesday, June 10, revealing that the sculpture was acquired by a banker residing on the U.S. West Coast for a staggering $984,000. What makes this story even more intriguing is the fact that the sculpture was casually displayed on a family’s piano alongside personal photographs, with the owners believing it to be a mere copy.
Despite initial doubts about its authenticity, the auctioneer decided to delve deeper into the sculpture’s origins before seeking assessment from the Comité Rodin. To their astonishment, Jérôme Le Blay, co-founder of the Comité Rodin, expressed unwavering confidence in identifying Le Désespoir as a legitimate Rodin creation. Describing it as “extremely well made,” Le Blay noted that the sculpture belonged to a period when Rodin focused on producing a limited number of models.
Le Désespoir depicts a woman seated on a rock, drawing her knee close to her chest while holding her foot—a poignant portrayal of despair and contemplation. The intricate details and precise craftsmanship of the sculpture were key indicators of its authenticity, with Rouillac highlighting the impeccable rendering of the woman’s back muscles, allowing observers to discern each vertebra in the spinal column.
Originally sold in 1906, Le Désespoir resurfaced in 2024, shedding light on its rich history and significance in Rodin’s body of work. Rodin, a renowned French artist who lived from 1840 to 1917, was known for creating multiple versions of his sculptures, each carrying its own unique narrative and emotional depth.
The model for Le Désespoir was conceived in 1890 and meticulously sculpted between 1892 and 1893 as part of Rodin’s larger masterpiece, “The Gates of Hell,” a haunting artistic composition comprising over 200 sculptures. Rodin’s legacy lives on through his profound creations, with his works housed at Paris’ Musée Rodin, where his artistic vision continues to captivate audiences worldwide.
The discovery and subsequent sale of Le Désespoir serve as a testament to the enduring allure of Rodin’s artistry and the hidden gems that may lie undiscovered in private collections. This extraordinary journey from perceived imitation to esteemed masterpiece highlights the importance of thorough research and expert evaluation in the world of art auctions, where treasures of immense value can often emerge from unexpected sources.
As art enthusiasts and collectors celebrate the remarkable unveiling of Le Désespoir, the story of this once-overlooked sculpture exemplifies the profound impact of reassessment and recognition in preserving the rich tapestry of artistic history for generations to come.