The Isolation of a Muse
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| Figure 1: Painting Camille Claudel Author Unknown |
Everyone wants to become something great in life. Everyone has some sort of goal they would like to accomplish. Even if you think you may not want to do something so extraordinary in this world, I believe there's at least one thing you are passionate about.
Camille Claudel was a vibrant, intelligent, women. She is an influential sculptor who was judged and not accepted by the world of art. The 19th century was a time in history where gender equality was not practiced, people's lifestyles more so females were judged and controlled.
Claudel is known for being Auguste Rodin's muse. Yet, she was so much more than just a muse. She created sculptors in which many people did not know how to understand them. She was rejected and isolated by the most important people of her life.
She was born in France on December 8, 1864.She was the eldest sister of three.
Her father worked on mortgages. Her mother was a housewife who came from Catholic farmers.
As a child, Claudel was fascinated with stone and soil. She took interest in studying at Academie Colarossi. It was one of the few schools female students were allowed to enroll. As a young artist Claudel was an inspiration to her peers and also her teacher/lover Rodin.
During the 1800's female artist were not given many opportunities so when they accomplished major task not all were praised like men, but were overshadowed. She became a well-known sculptor and designed many pieces that revolved around her life experience. Claudel was able to create a narrative of anything she wanted using marble and bronze.
Many people did not expect the work Claudel created to come from a woman. After her break up with Rodin, Camille established herself as an independent artist. As an independent women Camille struggled paying her own bill. Claudel's lifestyle was uncommon to see. Why? Well during the 1800's women were bound by their family or by a male. Seeing someone especially a female who is independent was very foreign and strange. Though she was praised by many eminent critics, Claudel's early work was produced under Rodin's name which only worked according to his favor. This left Claudel with no benefactors leaving her broke.
We see this happening in society women not being paid enough for their work but making less and allowing men to make more. Claudel felt the oppression as a woman during her time. She was alone, neglected, and her family was not supportive over her dreams. As she grew up she became more and more isolated within herself. She knew she was an important figure to the world but was not accepted.
Right now in our history, Claudel is recognized for her impeccable talent. She is known to be the most influential sculptors of her past. During her era the early 19th century, Claudel was a brilliant women. She is an influential sculptor who was judged and not accepted by the world of art. The 19th century was a time in history where gender equality was not practiced, people's lifestyles more so females were judged and controlled.
On March 10, 1913 she was committed involuntarily by her mother and brother to an asylum. Many of her friends as well as well as her doctors believed she did not need to be an in asylum. Her family was very bitter and did not want Claudel to be a part of society so they constantly rejected doctor's request for Claudel to join a family environment. They knew deep down her breakdown was due to the ignorance and hate of the world. As a family they should of been there for her and support her through her breakdown. They should've inspired her to create more of her work and be that figure she needed for herself. Not having that support from her mother or her brother really took a toll on her. Her father, who was the only person who did support Claudel, passed away during a time she herself did not know. Losing him was enough for her because he was the only one who really supported her and her craft. She died on October 19, 1943 spending more than 30 years in an asylum.
Bibliography
"Rodin and Camille Claudel." Rodin and Camille Claudel | Rodin Museum. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Feb. 2017.
"Rodin and Camille Claudel." Rodin and Camille Claudel | Rodin Museum. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 FEB. 2017.
Bibliography
"Rodin and Camille Claudel." Rodin and Camille Claudel | Rodin Museum. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Feb. 2017.
"Rodin and Camille Claudel." Rodin and Camille Claudel | Rodin Museum. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 FEB. 2017.
The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. "Camille Claudel." Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, inc., 07 July 2015. Web. 14 FRB. 2017.
"Académie Colarossi." Académie Colarossi | Artist Biographies. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Mar. 2017.
"The triumph of tragedy." The Economist. The Economist Newspaper, 07 Jan. 2006. Web. 01 Mar. 2017.
Camille Claudel's story is truly tragic from beginning to end. Her family did not support her, her lover took credit for her art, she was robbed of a good life, and she was sent away to an asylum by her own family, people who were supposed to love and support her. It's awful to think that something like this could happen to someone as talented as Camille Claudel, but it did happen because of her gender. Camille's story reminds me of Malala's story from the Memoir I Am Malala. Both of them were unable to pursue what they wanted to pursue, learning and art, because of outside factors that prohibited them from doing so. The Taliban prevented Malala from learning because she was female and society and her family prevented Camille from pursuing art. Do you think Camille would have been able to pursue her dreams if her family was more supportive? Or do you think that society would have still ended up destroying her?
ReplyDelete-Tyler C
Hey Tyler,
DeleteI am familiar with Malala's story and I love the correlation you made with using an example in which quiet similar to Camille. I defiantly believe Camille's life would of been very different if her mother and brother where supportive. Camille's father was the only person in her family who supported her dreams. I also think if Camille had a more supportive family, her art would of been different. Most of her paintings were influenced by her pain that was inflicted by her family and lover. If Camille had positive people in her life, including her mother and brother, she definitely would of created different type of sculptors which I believe society would of accepted. I believe pain or not art is art. What anyone creates is a masterpiece because it was influenced by an exterior factor.
After reading your article, I decided to look up some of Camille Claudel's artwork. It amazes me that the people in her sculptures all have different facial expressions. I find her work very unique and it is sad how some of them are under Rodin's name. Your article was very well explained and I'm surprised at how much I learned about her in just one reading. Camille Claudel reminds me of Malala Yousafzai. During Malala's time, women were not accept by society either. The only thing that's different is that Malala got support from her family and Camille Claudel did not. I can also make a connection to Curley's wife from the book Of Mice and Men. Both ladies were very lonely and had no one to support and talk to.
ReplyDeleteWere you assigned to write about Camille Claudel or did you choose to? If you chose, what stuck out to you most about her?
-Rachana P
Hey Rachana,
DeleteI was so angry when I saw most of her work was under Rodin's name. It makes me happy I was able to explain her story in a way that you could understand and reflect on. I wish Camille wasn't a lonely women. If she was alive during our time she would be such an inspiration for anyone studying ceramics, painters, drawers, sculptors. She was so talented yet was born I believe in the wrong time zone. I actually chose Camille Claudel. Why? Well I'm an art enthusiast, I am such a huge fan and love seeing people create with their hands. I honestly first wanted to do Mya Angelou because I like writing poetry but since someone beat me to it my second chose was Camille. I'm glad I chose her because I was able to learn so much and her story really inspired me. What stuck out to me the most was her relationship with Rodin. I was angry how she allowed a man drag her down to a point where she was depressed. Though I know love is painful and I respect it so much, I believe no women should let a man allow her to feel useless, or incapable of prospering. If Camille had more confidence and was able to expand she could of met better people who appreciated her and her art.
Camille Claudel was a woman who I had never heard of before reading her story. However, this story about her life made me realize how underappreciated she was. It is such a shame that Camille was outcast due to her affair and has marital status. I believe that under the right environment, Camille could have become an even better artist than she was. The struggle of Camille Claudel is like the story of Malala Yousafazi from her autobiography I Am Malala. Malala was a young girl living in Pakistan who wanted a proper education, but was prevented so by the Taliban occupying her village. Similiar to Camille, Malala fought for her rights, but she was denied them. Only after coming close to death, were steps towards equality being achieved. What do you think Camille would have been able to accomplish, given she lived a full life? Would she be remembered differently?
ReplyDelete-Evan
Hey Evan,
DeleteYou made gave some good points, I believe as well if Camille lived in the right environment she would of been able to achieve more but more importantly be happy. I think Camille would of accomplished so much if she had a full life. If she had the support from her family, the inner confidence and strength to not allow a man to defeat her nor diminish her value she would of been such a positive role model,motivator, public speaker, to any generation.
As I was reading, I felt as though I could relate to Camille in a few ways. She loved the world of art and spent many hours and even years of her life on artwork. Most of her family, especially her mother did not accept her ways and this made me have sympathy for her, because I know how hard it is to please your family and to work up to their expectations. It angers me that her talents were wasted after she was locked away until death. Claudel was living well until she left Rodin and then he life practically went downhill. This part of her life reminds me of Odysseus in the Odyssey, because he was once on top of the world sailing about, when one day everything flipped on him and his went through a downward spiral losing all of his men. Camille was once thriving when she was under Rodin's name, but she could not make it on her own. It gets me sad knowing that such talent was wasted! She lived in a time where woman's talents were not as important as a man, even if they had the same skill level. In my personal opinion I do not believe that she should have been locked up for so long, and I was just wondering what you thought. Do you believe she should have been locked up for that long – or locked up at all?
ReplyDelete- Erin M
Hey Erin,
DeleteI can relate to your story when it comes to pleasing your parents. My mom wanted me to study a certain subject in college but I did not want to. It was such a battle internally trying to break free and be able to do and be what I want. I don't think Camille should of been locked up at all. All she needed was support. She needed recognition, she needed a real support system that could allow her to feed of off and become strong on her own.
Camille Claudel's life is truly an inspiring story to hear, and it helped me appreciate how much America has evolved in where women have so many more rights than they did back then. It was very sad to hear that after being discriminated against her family put her in an asylum even though no one thought she needed to go to one, and she ended up dying there 30 years later. This woman's life kind of reminds me of Malala Yousafazi, who as a child fell in love with learning but was unable to do so. The Taliban imposed strong restrictions on women and caused Malala to be unable to go to school. Both Camille and Malala fought for a right granted to men that they believed they deserved as well, but sadly failed. My question is, do you think that if she had not been sent to an asylum, would she have gone on to do greater things in life and maybe caused more change in the world?
ReplyDeleteHey Josh,
DeleteThat's a great question. In my opinion, I believe apart of her depression, her family was a main reason why she did not expand. Also her art was not given the recognition it deserved and it was hard for her to get enough money to be able to be on her own. The way she created her art was inappropriate to art critics. Most of her famous work was under Rodins name which didn't allow her to receive any praise. I believe if she just had that one friend and kept strong and believed in herself, she could of made a difference. She stayed to long with Rodin and around negativity which affected her tremendously. It killed her and her chances.
I definitely agree that her family and the negativity surrounding her held her back the most and also kind of wondered why she stayed with Rodin for so long if he was so negative with her and made her not feel good about herself. I thought it was very evil for him to just take what she made and put his name on it. I think if she had left him and gotten her praise maybe she could've avoided depression and probably gone on to do better things as well.
DeleteI'll be honest, I'm not very knowledgeable on the subject of art, and hadn't heard of Camille Claudel before reading your article. I honestly think it's such a discredit to her, and any woman at the time, that not even their art would be accepted because of gender biases. I looked up some of her sculptures and I think they're absolutely amazing. As someone who can barely make a cup out of just clay, I can't begin to imagine the kind of ability it must have taken for her to sculpt out of metal and stone! Now, I'm obviously biased due to having been born in the 21st century, but I feel that art is something that should not be judged for who made it but rather for what it is- whether it be a song, painting, sculpture, or anything else. To me, this is reminiscent of the book Night by Elie Wiesel. His existence as a person was discredited, just after the time when Claudel died, because he was Jewish. While the two were shunned and mistreated by society for different reasons, they were intentionally excluded because of something they were born with and had no influence over. After reading and realizing that I previously had no idea who Camille Claudel had been, I came to wonder what attracted your attention to her. Why did you choose to write about her of all people? Did you know who she had been before deciding to write an article to be put here?
ReplyDelete-Nick F
While reading this, I became a little frustrated because of how unappreciated Camille Claudel was and still is. Artists are supposed to be unique and that's what makes the Greats so amazing. It does not make sense that she was so rejected and ignored in her life, regardless of her love life which should not be an issue of the public. I am upset that I've never heard of her. Claudel also reminds me a bit of Antigone's life in her play. Their actions were vastly different, but the two women were simply trying to do what they felt needed to be done. For Antigone, that meant giving her brother a proper burial, but for Claudel, it meant being an inspiration against the circumstances. Unfortunately, both fell to unjust ends because people could not accept them. Do you think Claudel would have made it this far if she hadn't known Augustus Rodin, even if their relationship was a major part of her fall?
ReplyDelete-Elisa F.
I loved how your article finally gave Claudel the credit she deserves. Her story is so tragic and I adore how you chose to show that instead of focusing on just her art. Camille's sculptures have a haunting beauty to them, and I think the same can be said about her. She worked so hard her entire life to pursue her dreams, but those she cared for most never tried to help her or stole her credit. It breaks my heart that she was forced into an asylum until death for doing what she loved.
ReplyDeleteI personally think she greatly resembles Atticus Finch from the novel "To Kill A Mockingbird." Both worked for what they believed was right, Claudel her art and Atticus protecting an innocent black man from a racist trial. However, both were highly judged and scrutinized for their work due to the prejudices of their times.
Are you an artist yourself? Which of Claudel's works is your favorite?
Thanks!- Rory
I love art and Camille Claudel is a true inspiration for me. Reading about how cruel society was to Camille Claudel just because she was a female artist is hard to wrap my head around, but sadly their was a time period in which women were truly seen as less than men. A part that really stuck out to me was that Claudel's lover, Rodin, would take credit for her work and get paid much more than she did. The financial difference between them two for doing the same job can still be seen today in the pay gap between men and women. When Claudel's work was presented as Rodin's it received praise, but when her name was associated with it, it was ignored. Art is supposed to be universal and unite people, not tear them apart. This reminds me of the gender differences in "To Kill a Mockingbird" because almost none of the females in this book have jobs, and Scout is constantly being told to act like a "lady". Claudel's family felt she was not acting like a "lady" by making art and put her in an asylum, which I think is excessively cruel. You mentioned that Claudel is primarily known as Rodin's muse, while researching was it hard to find information on Claudel as her own person and an artist herself?
ReplyDeleteIt's odd to see how someone can be admired for their skills but hated for something so trivial. It's still a problem in today's world where women are ignored for their skills and their personal life and fashion choices are the only point of interest no matter what path they've chosen to follow. Camille Claudel sounds like she would've needed Malala's (Malala Yousafazi from "I Am Malala," luck in order to be acknowledged in this age as a capable person. While Malala had her family supporting her, Claudel had only her father. It shows what a difference a person's family can make. Due to the sexism those in her time period exhibited, I'm wondering if Claudel was mentioned by any male authors in full rather than an attachment of her mentor. Was it the female author's who preserved her memory?
ReplyDelete-Amy S.
Thank you so much for introducing me to Camille Claudel! I had no prior knowledge about her, or her situation and your writing was able to fill up that hole. I find it fascinating how you were able to get me so involved with her as a person, despite me not being interested in art at all. I find it depressing that Camille did not receive any real credit after leaving the man who was supposed to love her. It's so sad to me that her talent was shamed by her family and that her family had the audacity to put her in an asylum!
ReplyDeleteI can somehow relate Camille's love story slightly, to Antigone's life because of the gender roles. In Antigone's life she was not allowed to do certain things and was shamed all because of gender. Antigone was strong and kept doing what she believed to be right despite her sister telling her not to do it.
I would love to know what made you so intrigued by Camille's story and how you felt when you first heard about it. As well as how you found out about the story.
Camille Claudel's story has a special place in my heart. I do not fully understand the logic behind rejecting her art because of her gender. I would assume that gender should not be a deciding factor in an art gallery. I am quite intrigued on what she may have been thinking through all of this. Sure, you could call her story tragic or shame her and/or Rodin for being together, even though Rodin already had a significant other. But I am more curious on how all of those events lead up to one another and the raw emotion behind that.
ReplyDeleteA person that I would relate Camille Claudel to would be Antigone. They both dealt with inequalities due to them being female. They both had different reasons and different stories, but they both fell to untimely events due to their gender preventing someone that they wanted.
Would people have reacted differently to her art if it had Rodin's name on it instead? Considering he was male, rather than female.
-Val