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Iris Waking a Nymph (Iris éveillant une nymphe)

European Art

Here, the deity Iris, messenger of the gods, eagerly alights on the knee of a shy nymph who recoils in surprise at this sudden incitement to love. Rodin frequently evoked nymphs, bacchantes, and other mythological personages in his works. This did not reflect an allegiance to classical literature, but rather recognition of the popularity of these kinds of titillating mythological subjects during the Second French Empire, when he was beginning his career. Often, as with this work, a mythological title provided an acceptable context for an erotic theme.
MEDIUM Bronze
  • Place Made: France
  • DATES ca. 1885, cast 1979
    DIMENSIONS 13 5/8 × 8 5/8 × 8 1/2 in., 16.5 lb. (34.6 × 21.9 × 21.6 cm, 7.48kg)  (show scale)
    MARKINGS Back: "E. GODARD./FONDr" Back: "© by Musée Rodin 1979"
    SIGNATURE Proper right, bottom: "A. Rodin"
    INSCRIPTIONS Proper right, bottom: "No 12"
    COLLECTIONS European Art
    ACCESSION NUMBER 84.77.6
    CREDIT LINE Gift of Iris and B. Gerald Cantor
    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
    CAPTION Auguste Rodin (French, 1840–1917). Iris Waking a Nymph (Iris éveillant une nymphe), ca. 1885, cast 1979. Bronze, 13 5/8 × 8 5/8 × 8 1/2 in., 16.5 lb. (34.6 × 21.9 × 21.6 cm, 7.48kg). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Iris and B. Gerald Cantor, 84.77.6. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 84.77.6_transp6258.jpg)
    EDITION Edition: 12/12
    IMAGE overall, 84.77.6_transp6258.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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    RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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