La Vague (The Wave) by Camille Claudel

Camille Claudel

La Vague (The Wave), c. 1897 / posthumous cast 1997

Price upon request

Inquire

Artwork Details

ArtistCamille Claudel

TitleLa Vague (The Wave)

Year of creationc. 1897 / posthumous cast 1997

Techniquebronze

Dimensions24 1/4 x 19 x 24 in.

Marks & InscriptionsSigned "C. Claudel" and stamped with foundry markings.

Edition6/8

Provenance

Private Collection, France

Inquire

Camille Claudel's life story reflects an era when societal constraints often dimmed the brilliance of women; their genius was viewed as a threat to the male-dominated world. Most introductions to Claudel are steeped in misleading biographical details related to her as Rodin's assistant, mistress, or lover, associations that diminish her achievements as a first-rate sculptor whose work borrows little from Rodin in style or subject matter. Despite these challenges, Claudel's legacy has endured, celebrated through exhibitions, biographies, and films since her rediscovery in 1982.

La Vague (The Wave), a remarkable sculpture of three women frolicking joyfully, embodies Claudel's passion for art and connection to nature. The women, their hair unruly like the sea, are depicted in a moment of freedom and abandon, yet the looming wave hints at the inevitable sorrow to come—a metaphor for Claudel's life, shadowed by fate. This piece, initially shown in plaster and later cast in bronze with an onyx marble wave, draws direct inspiration from Hokusai's The Great Wave, reflecting the Parisian fascination with Japanese art at the time. While La Vague showcases Claudel's technical mastery and the influence of Japanese aesthetics, it also poignantly symbolizes her acceptance of the overpowering forces of nature and the tragic course her life would ultimately take. This bronze, cast in 1997, is one of only two not held in a museum, further emphasizing the rarity of and reverence for Claudel's work.

“I showed her where to find gold, but the gold she finds is very much her own.”

— Auguste Rodin

Learn more about this artwork

Get in touch with us to learn more about Camille Claudel's La Vague (The Wave) and a specialist will get in touch with you:

Chinese

Sancai-Glazed Horse with Cut-Fur Blanket

Joan Miró

Tête de femme (déesse)

Harry Bertoia

Untitled (Sounding Sculpture)

Alexander Calder

Woman with Square Umbrella (A10700)

Looking for someone else?

At Heather James we have access to thousands of works, but not all can be shown on our website. If there is a particular artist or artwork you are interested in, please contact us and we will work with you to make your collection complete.