Sakuntala (Claudel)

Sakuntala
Vertumnus and Pomona
ArtistCamille Claudel
Year1905
MediumMarble
LocationMusée Rodin, Paris

Sakuntala, also known as Sakountala or Çacountala, is a sculpture by the French artist Camille Claudel, made in several versions in different media from 1886, with a marble version completed in 1905, and bronze castings made from 1905. The sculpture depicts a young couple, with a kneeling man embracing a woman leaning towards him. It was named after the play Shakuntala by the 4th-5th century Indian poet Kālidāsa, and is inspired by the moment when the title character Shakuntala is reunited with her husband Dushyanta after a long separation.

A terracotta study c.1886 is held by the Musée d'Orsay in Paris, an 1888 completed plaster version is held by the Musée Bertrand [fr] in Châteauroux,[1] a marble version completed in 1905 and renamed Vertumnus et Pomona is held by the Musée Rodin in Paris, and several bronzes were cast for Eugène Blot [fr] from 1905 entitled L'Abandon ("The Abandonment").[2][3] L'Abandon has been described as "one of the most famous and recognised masterpieces created by Camille Claudel".

  1. ^ Hamer, Suzan. "Shakuntala (Vertumnus and Pomona)1905 by Camille Claudel". Curiator. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
  2. ^ "Vertumnus and Pomona: Camille Claudel (1864 -1943)". Musée Rodin. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
  3. ^ "1886 - 1893 : Rodin and Camille Claudel: a tumultuous love affair and an impassioned, intense artistic dialogue". Musée Camille Claudel. Retrieved 26 October 2019.