After the Convention, I went to the Montreal Museum of Fine Art which was impressive. Back when I was an art student in NYC, I used to go to museums and stay so ling that I would be exhausted by the end of the day. I call that museum burn and I got to feel that luxury again in Montreal.
There was an amazing exhibit of the remaining sculptures of Camille Rosalie Claudel. She is known as being the mistress f of the famous sculptor, Rodin, but er sculptures are even more expressive and sensual than his. She was a true master in her own right, but she was thrust into the shadow of the famous sculptor.
Rodin mentored the young sculptor and she became an inspiration for him. She posed for him and he encouraged her to experiment in new mediums like plaster, bronze, marble, and onyx. A passionate love affair developed. Rodin could not bring himself to leave his 20 year marriage to Rose however.
Camille had to have an abortion and she ended the sexual aspect of her affair with Rodin. They continued to see one another for about 8 more years.
After the relationship ended, Camille could not get the funding needed to create large public works. Her work was considered to sexual while Rodin’s sensual sculptures were embraced.
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After her father’s death, the family who inherited the wealth he had built, decided to let he live in poverty because they didn’t believe she should have become an artist. Camille is a true inspiration.