Rodin Works: Idyll of Ixelles |
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The sculpture consists of two figures, a seated baby boy and a winged baby girl bending over him with outstrechted hands. The embrace of the boy is not returned by the girl, who, although her chin rests on his head, shows not the same kind of affection. He in contrast is nestling up to her chest, holding her closely with his hands, as if he is seeking for consolation. Facos suggests that the scene may represent the mourning of a young boy for his beloved deceased sister . In this sense, the scene may have possessed some autobiographical relevance: Rodin had severely suffered after the death of his sister Maria in 1862. In a late variation of the 'Cupid and Psyche' theme, exhibited in the Musée Rodin, we again find two characters looking childlike and chubby, like baroque putti, as if Rodin in his last years of active modelling has recurred once more to his 'Idyll of Ixelles'. Despite the rather traditional and sweetish character of
the composition, the 'Idyll of Ixelles' - like many other Rodin works -
met critique and resistance from certain parties.
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The
title of this sculpture is derived from the Brussels neighbourhood in
which Rodin lived between 1871 and 1877. In the Collection of the Ixelles
Museum, a bronze cast of the sculpture can be found among other works made
by Rodin. The marble sculpture on which this cast is based, was made by
Rodin in Paris in 1881, for the collector Joseph-Benoît Willems. The
original plaster, which was modelled earlier, is lost. The similarity to
the decorative works Rodin made during his years in Brussels suggests a
date of execution during this period .
