The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of January 30, 2023

The Sirens

1889

Auguste Rodin

(French, 1840–1917)

France, late 19th-early 20th century

Bronze

Overall: 43.2 x 41.6 x 30.5 cm (17 x 16 3/8 x 12 in.)

In memory of Ralph King, gift of Mrs. Ralph King; Ralph T. Woods, Charles G. King; and Frances King Schafer 1946.350

Location

not on view

Description

Rodin intended The Gates of Hell (based on Dante’s The Divine Comedy) to be the great work of his life. It was never executed as originally planned, but Rodin created a number of sculptures for the project that were later treated separately. Among them was this group of three nude women entitled The Sirens.

Inscriptions

Inscription

on back: Alexis Rudier/Fondeur 1889, Paris; on inside, separate piece: A. Rodin; on front, left: A. Rodin. Sticker on inside: P. Navez Exposition de Pittsburgh les Syrenes Collection Rodin (du Musée Rodin) No. 131.

Provenance
Mrs. Ralph King, Cleveland Heights, Ohio.
Citations
Tacha, Athena. Rodin Sculpture in the Cleveland Museum of Art. Cleveland: The Cleveland Museum of Art, 1967. Mentioned: p. 99, cat. no. XIII; Reproduced: p. [60], Plate 76 archive.org
Tacha, Athena. A Supplement to Rodin Sculpture in the Cleveland Museum of Art. Cleveland: Cleveland Museum of Art, 1974. Mentioned: p. 132S, cat. no. XIII
Exhibition history

Museum of Modern Art, NY: Art Nouveau, June 6-September 6, 1960.

also traveled to: Carnegie Institute, Pittsburgh, October 13-December 12, 1960; Los Angeles County Museum, January 10-March 4, 1961; and Baltimore Museum of Art, April 1-May 15, 1961.

Baron Gros, Painter of Battles: The First Romantic Painter. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (March 8-April 15, 1956).

Source URL: https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1946.350