The Sirens (Les Sirènes)
European Art
The sirens are the part-bird, part-woman characters of Greek mythology whose enchanting songs lured unwary sailors to their deaths in Homer’s Odyssey. Rodin considered their tale of deception and death an appropriate subject for The Gates of Hell, where they appear in the left panel.
CAST BY
Georges Rudier Fondeur, Paris
MEDIUM
Bronze
DATES
1880s, cast 1967
DIMENSIONS
17 × 17 1/4 × 12 5/8 in., 45.5 lb. (43.2 × 43.8 × 32.1 cm, 20.64kg) (show scale)
MARKINGS
Back of base to the right: ".Georges Rudier. Fondeur. Paris."
Proper left edge: "© by Musée Rodin 1967"
SIGNATURE
Below the knees of the middle figure: "A. Rodin"; Interior, front of base, raised cachet: "A. Rodin"
COLLECTIONS
European Art
ACCESSION NUMBER
86.87.1
CREDIT LINE
Gift of the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Foundation
EXHIBITIONS
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is not on view
CAPTION
Auguste Rodin (French, 1840-1917). The Sirens (Les Sirènes), 1880s, cast 1967. Bronze, 17 × 17 1/4 × 12 5/8 in., 45.5 lb. (43.2 × 43.8 × 32.1 cm, 20.64kg). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Foundation, 86.87.1. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 86.87.1_SL3.jpg)
EDITION
Edition: 5/12
IMAGE
overall, 86.87.1_SL3.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2023
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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