Nijinsky (?)

modeled 1912, cast 1959

Not on view

On May 29, 1912, Rodin attended the premiere of Vaslav Nijinsky’s modern ballet L’Après-midi d’un faune (Afternoon of a Faun), which scandalized Parisian audiences with its avant-garde choreography and sexually explicit content. The following morning, a front-page newspaper editorial signed by Rodin praised the "deliberately awkward" and "jerky" movement. Nijinsky posed for Rodin a few days later. The strong profile of this sculpted sketch pays tribute to his choreographic style, which mimicked Greek bas-relief sculpture.

Artwork Details

Overview

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Provenance

Exhibition History

Title: Nijinsky (?)
Artist: Auguste Rodin (French, Paris 1840–1917 Meudon)
Date: modeled 1912, cast 1959
Culture: French
Medium: Bronze, marble base
Dimensions: Overall (without base): 6 3/4 × 2 7/8 × 2 5/8 in. (17.1 × 7.3 × 6.7 cm);
Height (with base): 9 3/4 in. (24.8 cm)
Classification: Sculpture-Bronze
Credit Line: Gift in honor of B. Gerald Cantor, 1991
Object Number: 1991.446
Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

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Nijinsky (?), Auguste Rodin French, Plaster, French, Paris — Nijinsky (?)
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modeled 1912

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