Auguste Rodin

Musée Rodin, Paris
Contemporary Sculpture Center, Japan (acquired from the above on May 18, 1981)
Mitsukoshi Department store, Tokyo
Acquired from the above by the present owner at the end of the 1980s

Antoinette Le Normand-Romain, Rodin et le bronze, Catalogue des œuvres conservées au Musée Rodin, vol. II, Paris, 2007, another cast illustrated p. 421

Attrative brown green patina. There is surface dust. There are casting lines consistent with the working process. There is evidence of light handling wear in places. This work is in overall good condition.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Sculptures from an Important Japanese Private Collection

One of the qualities of human nature is the desire to do something positive for the town in which one was born and raised. Even more so if one's success was due in part to its inhabitants.

In small Japanese towns, opportunities to see genuine works of art by Western masters are limited.  It is thus, that an important Japanese collector, who wishes to remain anonymous, chose to return his appreciation to his hometown by creating a museum quality space to house and present his collection. He created a specially designed space, a vast and luminous gallery with beautiful wooden floors with each sculpture placed on the specially designed dark brown plinth accompanied with simple descriptions of the works on view. This private collector made his first purchases over 30 years ago and over the next decades grew his collection with the intention of creating a public museum. Unfortunately his dream of a publicly accessible space did not materialise and so for years he personally invited friends, local families, and neighbours to his home to view the works  and share  his passion for these world renowned artists.

Time has passed and today, this discreet collector has decided to part with his works by August Rodin, Antoine Bourdelle, and Aristide Maillol by proposing them to a next generation of collectors who will hopefully appreciate living with them as much as he did.