Conversation, Agate Stone, 1897, Collection of the Rodin Museum

Camille Claudel (1864–1943): When we speak of Rodin, we think of his student, lover, model, and assistant—the sculptor Camille. The Rodin Museum dedicates a special exhibition room to Camille to commemorate and affirm this talented female sculptor. Her works reveal a dialogue and romance with Rodin akin to that of lovers. Under the master’s influence, Camille surpassed him in achievement. After severing ties with Rodin in 1893, she moved beyond emotional entanglements, drawing inspiration directly from observations of daily life. This original work, Conversation, carved in the unusual material of agate stone, depicts four women seated on a stone bench in a corner, deeply portraying the aspects of everyday life.