|
The Laws That Govern the Casting of Rodin's Sculpture
In accordance with Rodin's will the Musée Rodin was given the right to cast Rodin's
sculpture posthumously. In 1956 French law limited production to twelve casts of each
model. A system of numbering was established by French legislation in 1968 whereby the
first eight of the twelve casts, numbered 1/8-8/8, have been available for the public to
purchase; the last four, numbered I/IV-IV/IV, have been reserved for cultural
institutions. This law was reestablished and strictly imposed in 1981.
Are There Ever More Than Twelve Casts of a Sculpture?
Before casting laws were established Rodin granted many foundries permission to cast as
many sculptures as the market demanded. For example, from around 1898 to 1918 the
Barbedienne foundry alone produced 231 casts of The Eternal Spring and 319 of The Kiss, each available in four sizes. (For more about the different sizes, go to the Collas Machine.)
How Sculpture is Authenticated in America Today
Sculpture that is mechanically reproduced in editions, in numerous mediums and sizes,
raises questions about originality, dating, and ethics. Such problems are exacerbated by
the failure of nineteenth-century artists and foundries to maintain records, as well as by the absence of foundry marks, cast numbers, and even signatures. This is particularly the case with Rodin's sculpture. This problem persisted until 1974, when Rodin scholar
Professor Albert E. Elsen, from Stanford University, was elected to the presidency of the
College Art Association. Elsen confronted the problem by bringing together sculptors, art
historians, lawyers, curators, museum directors, and art dealers to draft the
"Statement on the Standards for Sculptural Reproduction and Preventative Measures to
Combat Unethical Casting in Bronze." This statement serves as the basis for many
authentications made today and also sets the standards for the production of contemporary
editions of sculpture.
|
