NEWS RELEASE December 9, 2009 FRED JONES JR. MUSEUM OF ART UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA - NORMAN CONTACT MICHAEL BENDURE, Public Relations Officer, 405-325-3178, [email protected] FAX: 405-325-7696 www.ou.edu/fjjma
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WITH PHOTO
FJJMA Premieres Rodin Sculpture Through March 15, 2010
NORMAN, OKLA. – Christmas has come early to the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, but a new sculpture is as much a gift to visitors as it is to the museum. Through March 15, 2010, museum visitors get a rare chance to view “The Kiss” (“Le Baiser”), one of only five lifetime casts, on this scale, of the bronze statue by Auguste Rodin (1840-1917).
On loan for a limited time from a private collector, the sculpture depicts the famous, forbidden embrace of historical figures Francesca da Rimini and Paolo Malatesta from Canto V of Dante’s Inferno.
“This is a wonderful opportunity to display an amazing work by one of the greatest sculptors in history,” said Ghislain d’Humières, director of the FJJMA. “The Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art is privileged to share this historical work with our visitors. I hope visitors will bring loved ones and see ‘The Kiss’ during this short opportunity.”
No stranger to themes of love and sensuality, Rodin was virtually unrivaled at communicating passion and romance among 19th-century sculptors. A distinctive feature original to this version of “The Kiss” is Paolo’s hand hovering over Francesca’s leg. During the production of the model, shrinkage of the clay caused his arm to pull away from grasping her leg, an accidental gesture that Rodin relished as poignant and “more respectful.”
This bronze cast was one of only a few made between 1887 and 1901, placing it among the earliest known casts created during Rodin’s lifetime. It was originally conceived as part of “The Gates of Hell,” which also included his most famous sculpture, “The Thinker.” However, Rodin eventually omitted “The Kiss” from the final work.
The Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art is located in the OU Arts District on the corner of Elm Avenue and Boyd Street, at 555 Elm Ave., on the OU Norman campus.
The museum will offer free admission Saturday, Dec. 26, through Wednesday, Dec. 30. Otherwise, admission to the museum is free to all OU students with a current student ID and all museum association members, $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, $3 for children 6 to 17 years of age, $2 for OU faculty/staff, and free for children 5 and under. The museum is closed on Mondays and admission is free on Tuesdays. The museum’s Web site is www.ou.edu/fjjma. Information and accommodations on the basis of disability are available by calling (405) 325-4938.
Construction on a new wing is under way, but the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art is open and fully functional with exhibitions and programming throughout the entire construction process.
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PHOTO CUTLINE
The Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art presents “The Kiss” (“Le Baiser”) by Auguste Rodin, on display through March 15, 2010. On loan from a private collector, the bronze sculpture is famous for its depiction of embracing lovers.
Credit line:
Auguste Rodin (France, 1840-1917) The Kiss (Le Baiser), conceived 1880-1881, cast between 1887-1901 Bronze with brown patina, h. 34 in. On loan from a private collector