Friday, June 17, 2011

From the Ridiculous to the Sublime, “posthumous original bronze sculptures” used to mask Rodin forgeries @ North Georgia College & State University

NOTE: Footnotes are enclosed with [FN ].




















T
he North Georgia College & State University’s May 7 to July 10, 2011 Rodin: The Figure in Bronze exhibition consists of non-disclosed posthumous (after 1998) forgeries with counterfeit “A Rodin” signatures inscribed that are falsely attributed as: “An exclusive exhibit of Rodin sculptures.”[FN 1]

On page 661 of the Seventh Edition of Black's Law Dictionary, -forgery- is defined as: "the act of fraudulently making a false document or altering a real one to be used as if genuine."[FN 2]

Auguste Rodin died in 1917. The dead don’t sculpt.

This monograph documents these contentious issues of authenticity.
























[North Georgia College & State University's June 2, 2011 "Explore the world of Rodin through exhibit at North Georgia" release]


The North Georgia College & State University, in its’ June 2, 2011 “Explore the world of Rodin through exhibit at North Georgia” release, states: “the exhibit features 24 posthumous original bronze sculptures by 19th-century French sculptor Auguste Rodin.”[FN 3]

On page 951 of Webster’s New World Pocket Dictionary Fourth Edition, -oxymoron- is defined as: “a combination of contradictory ideas or terms.[FN 4]

On page 1186 of the Seventh Edition of Black’s Law Dictionary, -posthumous- is defined as: “Occurring or existing after death.”[FN 5]

Since, Auguste Rodin died in 1917, the 20th-century, would applying “posthumous” with “by 19th-century French sculptor Auguste Rodin” be “a combination of contradictory ideas or terms” a.k.a. -oxymoron-?

The 20th-century dead don’t come out with 19th-century work.

On page 1127 of the Seventh Edition of Black’s Law Dictionary, -originality- is defined as: “The quality or state of being the product of independent creation and having a minimum degree of creativity.” Additionally, it states: “’Original’ in reference to a copyrighted work means that the particular work ‘owes its origin’ to the ‘author.’” [FN 6]

Therefore, how can any particular work owe its’ origin to an author if they, in this case Auguste Rodin, happened to be dead when it was made?

The dead don’t have any “minimum degree of creativity.”

On page 372 in Ralph Mayer’s HarperCollins Dictionary of Art Terms & Techniques, -sculpture- is defined as: “the creation of three dimensional forms by carving, modeling or assembly. In carving, the sculptor removes unwanted material.... In modeling on the other hand, the sculptor creates a form by building it up...”[FN 7]

Based on the above definition of -sculpture-, would anyone argue that a -dead- Auguste Rodin participated in the posthumous creation of any three dimensional form?

The dead don’t carve, model or assemble.

Additionally, the North Georgia College & State University, in its’ June 2, 2011 “Explore the world of Rodin through exhibit at North Georgia” release, would have the public believe that “The bronzes in this collection were cast from molds the sculptor created before his death.” [FN 8]

That statement is contradicted by the following three references:
  • First, on page 22 of 2003 Rodin’s art: the Iris & B. Gerald Cantor Collection at Stanford University catalogue, it states that when Auguste Rodin “could find no more to add or subtract from a clay sculpture, he would then have one of his assistants such as Dieudonne or Eugene Guioche, farther and son who specialized in moldmaking, make a mold of it, from which several plasters casts would then be made.”[FN 9]
  • Second, on page 253 in Albert Elsen’s “Rodin’s “Perfect Collaborator,” Henri Lebosse” essay, in the National Gallery of Art’s published 1981 Rodin Rediscovered exhibition catalogue, the Stanford Professor and Rodin scholar wrote: “From the mid-1890’s until his death, Rodin entrusted most if not all of his important enlargements and reductions to this dedicated and today unknown technician who referred to himself as Rodin’s ‘sculpteur reproducteur habituel.’ Lebosse wrote the master on January 24, 1903. ‘I would like to be your perfect collaborator.’”[FN 10]
  • Third, on their 2011 website, the Musee Rodin states: “Consequently, whenever it is decided to release a new 'subject’, a copy is first made from the old mould which can be sent without risk to the foundry where it undergoes the necessary preparations for casting. It is coated with an unmoulding agent, usually in a dark colour, and cut, before being cast again. This practice not only ensures absolute fidelity to the original but also obviously more valuable since they were made during the lifetime of Rodin.”[FN 11]























[front cover, "The Masters Edition of Posthumous Original Bronzes" brochure]


So, are we to suspend disbelief or just believe -Erin Wertenberger, owner of the Twenty 21 Collections/Gallery Rodin in Atlanta, Ga., and curator of this collection-[FN 12], in his “Auguste Rodin, The Master’s Edition of Posthumous Original Bronzes” brochure, that their collection of so-called “sculptures by Auguste Rodin”[FN 13] are from “Rodin’s original molds and plasters?”[FN 14]

Rhetorically, why are Erin Wertenberger and the others, associated with this Rodin: The Figure in Bronze exhibition, going to so much trouble to mask these non-disclosed forgeries as: “An exclusive exhibit of Rodin sculptures?”

Is this answered in the 4th question, 61 lines down, in the North Georgia College & State University's "Rodin Docents, Frequently Asked Questions" website?
  • "4. Do we know the prices for the works displayed?"[FN 15]
  • "Yes, I do have a price list, but we agreed with Erin Wertengberger that we would direct anyone interested in that information to him."[FN 16]






















[page 1, "The Masters Edition of Posthumous Original Bronzes" brochure]


On page 1 of Erin Wertenberger’s “Auguste Rodin, The Master’s Edition of Posthumous Original Bronzes” brochure, available at this exhibition, it states: “Each bronze is cast from original authenticated molds and plasters, with provenance to the Alexi Rudier Foundry, Rodin's preferred foundry, and the Rudier family and other sources.” [FN 17]

Aside the -Alexis- in Alexis Rudier foundry is spelled with -s- and that the Alexis Rudier foundry went out of business in 1952, it is a -red herring- to associate an almost 50 years ago out-of-business foundry with these non-disclosed forgeries posthumously (after 1998) forged in bronze by an unnamed foundry in Italy.

Additionally, Erin Wertenberger’s “Auguste Rodin, The Master’s Edition of Posthumous Original Bronzes” brochure states: “Each has been meticulously examined and certified by experts.”[FN 18]

On page 1036 of Random House College Dictionary, -postmortem- is defined as: "of, pertaining to , or occurring in the time following death."[FN 19]

So, what are we to make of "meticulously" postmortem examinations of non-disclosed posthumous forgeries that are now "certified" by unnamed "experts?"

On page 220 of Random House College Dictionary, -certifiable- is defined as: "capable of being certified" or "committable to a mental institution."[FN 20]

Therefore, are non-disclosed posthumous forgeries -certifiable- or those unnamed "experts" who certify them as "sculptures," much less attribute them to the dead -certifiable-?

Also, Erin Wertenberger’s “Auguste Rodin, The Master’s Edition of Posthumous Original Bronzes” brochure states: “The bronzes conform to known bronze sculptures cast in Rodin’s lifetime.”[FN 21]

Bronzes cast result in reproductions, not sculptures.

That factual perspective is confirmed by the following three references:

  • First, on page 66 in HarperCollins' published A Dictionary of Art Terms & Techniques by Ralph Mayer, -cast- is defined as: “to reproduce an object such as a piece of sculpture, by means of a MOLD.”[FN 22]
  • Second, on page 350 in HarperCollins' published A Dictionary of Art Terms & Techniques by Ralph Mayer, -reproduction- is defined as: “A general term for any copy, likeness, or counterpart of an original work of art or of a photograph, done in the same medium as the original or in another, and done by someone other than the creator of the original.”[FN 23]
  • Third, on page 285 in the former Musee Rodin curator Monique Laurent’s “Observations on Rodin and His Founders” essay, published in the National Gallery of Art’s published 1981 Rodin Rediscovered catalogue, referencing Auguste Rodin's 1916 Will, the former Musee Rodin curator wrote: “notwithstanding the transfer of artistic ownership authorized to the State of M. Rodin, the latter expressly reserves for himself the enjoyment during his life, of the reproduction rights of those objects given by him.”[FN 24]

So, even Auguste Rodin himself clearly understood when his work was cast, it resulted in reproductions.

Therefore, aside who would subjectively substitute their judgment for a dead Auguste Rodin on what -conforms-, anything cast, by definition, would be a reproduction, not a sculpture.

Furthermore, Erin Wertenberger’s “Auguste Rodin, The Master’s Edition of Posthumous Original Bronzes” brochure states: “All of the pieces in the collection will be cast in an edition of 24. At the end of the edition Rodin's original molds and plasters will be donated to public institutions, never to be cast from again.”[FN 25]

Aside, prior references that document Auguste Rodin did not create molds and the Musee Rodin posthumously sends plaster reproductions, not Auguste Rodin's original plasters, to foundries for casting in bronze, how can you have an "edition of 24," if these posthumous forgeries are not original works of visual art?

Under U.S. Copyright Law § 101. Definitions, a “work of visual art” is — a sculpture, in multiple cast, carved, or fabricated sculptures of 200 or fewer that are consecutively numbered by the author and bear the signature or other identifying mark of the author."[FN 26]

The dead don't sign and number.


Then acting as if Auguste Rodin (d 1917) just stepped out of the room at the 2011 Rodin: The Figure in Bronze exhibition, the North Georgia College & State University's "Rodin Docents, Frequently Asked Questions" website, asks and answers the following sixth question, 70 lines down:
  • 6. "Why are there seams on some of the works?"[FN 27]
  • "There are always seams evident after a bronze is cast. Removing evidence of them is part of the finishing process. Rodin preferred to have a less finished appearance to many of his works.[FN 28]

The dead don't have preferences.

It is one of the oldest parlor tricks, look at the right hand as the left hand reaches in your pocket.

In other words, that’s not a dead Auguste Rodin’s fingers your feeling.


To cap off how ridiculous to the sublime this so-called Rodin: The Figure in Bronze exhibition is, here are three examples:





















1) On page 5 of the “Auguste Rodin, The Masters Edition of Posthumous Original Bronzes” brochure, the photograph of the titled: “The Bust of the Age of Bronze (large), Height: cm. 53 (20.875”)” has its’ left arm up versus the photograph on its’ right titled: “The Age of Bronze (medium), Height: cm. 103 (40.5”)” bronze that has its’ right arm up.

What's up with that? Does the right hand know what the left hand is doing?



















[Gaudenzio Marconi, The Age of Bronze, 1877, albumen print, 26.3 x 16 cm, Ph. 269, http://www.musee-rodin.fr/welcome.htm]


The above 1877 photograph by Gaudenzio Marconi, posted on the Musee Rodin's website, documents that Auguste Rodin's original "Age of Bronze" plaster has his right arm up.






















2) On page 7 of the “Auguste Rodin, The Masters Edition of Posthumous Original Bronzes” brochure, the photograph of the titled: “Nijinsky (small), Height: cm 17 (6")” has its’ right-knee up versus the photograph on its’ right titled: “Nijinsky, Height: cm 31 (12.125")” bronze that has its’ left-knee up.

Without making a knee-jerk reaction, if the one on the right is wrong, is the one on the left right or vice-versa or both?












[page 550, of the The Bronzes of Rodin, Catalogue of works in the Musee Rodin by Antoinette le Normand-Romain, © Musee Rodin: 978-2-9014-2892-3, RMN: 978-2-7118-4939-0]

The above excerpt from The Bronzes of Rodin catalogue documents that Auguste Rodin's "Nijinsky" has his right knee up.

























On page 8 of the “Auguste Rodin, The Masters Edition of Posthumous Original Bronzes” brochure, the photograph of the titled: “Iris, (small), Height: cm. 385 (43”long/16.875) plaster has its' right leg in the air versus the photograph below it titled: “Iris, Messenger of the Gods, Height: cm. 93 long (36.562)” bronze that has its' left leg in the air.

Has this so-called Rodin: The Figure in Bronze exhibition irretrievably gotten off on the wrong foot?

So, what's -left- of the Rodin: The Figure In Bronze exhibition's credibility, if they haven't got it -right-, at all?


















[page 452, of the The Bronzes of Rodin, Catalogue of works in the Musee Rodin by Antoinette le Normand-Romain, © Musee Rodin: 978-2-9014-2892-3, RMN: 978-2-7118-4939-0]

The above excerpt from The Bronzes of Rodin catalogue documents that Auguste Rodin's "Iris" has her right foot up.


Finally, the "Honor Code of North Georgia" states: "On my honor, I will not lie, cheat, steal, plagiarize, evade the truth, conspire to deceive, or tolerate those who do" reflects North Georgia's commitment to academic and professional integrity."[FN 29]

Rhetorically, should the North Georgia College & State University and their Rodin: The Figure in Bronze exhibition be held to a lesser ethical standard than their students?


To learn more about the history of this -fraud-, documented in Gary Arseneau's November 2001 “DECEPTION, Are these really Rodins at the Royal Ontario Museum?” monograph, link to:
http://garyarseneau.blogspot.com/2001_11_01_archive.html

Caveat Emptor!



FOOTNOTES:
1.http://www.northgeorgia.edu/North_Georgia_News/Articles/Headlines/General/Explore_the_world_of_Rodin_through_exhibit_at_North_Georgia.aspx

2. © 1999 By West Group, ISBN 0314022864

3.http://www.northgeorgia.edu/North_Georgia_News/Articles/Headlines/General/Explore_the_world_of_Rodin_through_exhibit_at_North_Georgia.aspx

4. © 2000 by IDG Books Worldwide, Inc., ISBN 0-7645-6147-2

5. © 1999 By West Group, ISBN 0314022864

6. Ibid

7. © by 1991 Bena Mayer, ISBN 0-06-461012-8 (pbk.)

8.http://www.northgeorgia.edu/North_Georgia_News/Articles/Headlines/General/Explore_the_world_of_Rodin_through_exhibit_at_North_Georgia.aspx

9. © 2003 by Oxford University Press, In.c and the Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University and the Estate of Albert Elsen, ISBN 0-19-513380-3

10. Copyright 1981 © Board of Trustees, National Gallery of Art, Washington, ISBN 0-89468-001-3 (pbk.)

11. http://www.musee-rodin.fr/welcome.htm
HOW TO FIND THE ABOVE MUSEE RODIN QUOTE:
First, go to the www.musee-rodin.fr/welcome.htm website,
then under “Contents on the left column click on “Collections,”
once on new screen click on the “Meudon” button,
then scoll down new screen till you reach the photograph of
“Assemblage of two figures of Even and crouching women”
and then count fourteen lines down for the quote.

12.http://www.northgeorgia.edu/North_Georgia_News/Articles/Headlines/General/Explore_the_world_of_Rodin_through_exhibit_at_North_Georgia.aspx

13. Ibid

14. Ibid

15.http://libguides.northgeorgia.edu/content.php?pid=201093&sid=1789759

16. Ibid

17. “Auguste Rodin, The Masters Edition of Posthumous Original Bronzes” brochure by North American Representative: Erin Wertenberger, Twenty 21 Collections/Gallery Rodin, 309 East Paces Ferry Road N.E., Suite 110, Atlanta, GA 30305, email: 2021collection@bellsouth.net, phone: 404-816-9977 or Carol Lochridge, Dragon Fine Arts, 719 Greeley Drive, Nashville, TN 37205, email: info@dragonfinearts.com, phone: 615-593-0123, www.dragonfineart.com

18. Ibid

19. Copyright © 1980, 1979, 1975 By Random House, Inc., ISBN 0-394-43600-8

20. Ibid

21. Copyright 1981 © Board of Trustees, National Gallery of Art, Washington, ISBN 0-89468-001-3 (pbk.)

22. © by 1991 Bena Mayer, ISBN 0-06-461012-8 (pbk.)

23. Ibid

24. Copyright 1981 © Board of Trustees, National Gallery of Art, Washington, ISBN 0-89468-001-3 (pbk.)

25. “Auguste Rodin, The Masters Edition of Posthumous Original Bronzes” brochure by North American Representative: Erin Wertenberger, Twenty 21 Collections/Gallery Rodin, 309 East Paces Ferry Road N.E., Suite 110, Atlanta, GA 30305, email: 2021collection@bellsouth.net, phone: 404-816-9977 or Carol Lochridge, Dragon Fine Arts, 719 Greeley Drive, Nashville, TN 37205, email: info@dragonfinearts.com, phone: 615-593-0123, www.dragonfineart.com

26. www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap1.html#101

27.http://libguides.northgeorgia.edu/content.php?pid=201093&sid=1789759

28. Ibid

29.http://www.northgeorgia.edu/2010_11%20Graduate%20Catalog/3945.htm


PRINCIPALS:
North American Representative:
Erin Werternberger
Twenty 21 Collection/Gallery Rodin
309 East Paces Ferry Road N. E., Suite 110
Altanta, GA 30305
(404) 816-9977
2021collections@bellsouth.net

Carol Lochridge
Dragon Fine Arts
719 Greeley Drive
Nashville, TN 37205
615-593-0123
info@dragonfinearts.com


Dr. Pamela Sachant
Department Head
Associate Professor Art History
North Georgia College & State University
82 College Circle
Dahlonega, GA 30597
(706) 864-1512
psachant@northgeorgia.edu

Cynthia Horne,
Docent Coordinator
Library Technology Center
North Georgia College & State University
Dahlonega, GA 30597
706.864.1522 or 706.864.1889
crhorne@northgeorgia.edu

ADDENDUM:






















[front cover, "The Masters Edition of Posthumous Original Bronzes" brochure]























[page 2, "The Masters Edition of Posthumous Original Bronzes" brochure]























[page 3, "The Masters Edition of Posthumous Original Bronzes" brochure]























[page 4, "The Masters Edition of Posthumous Original Bronzes" brochure]























[page 5, "The Masters Edition of Posthumous Original Bronzes" brochure]

























[page 6, "The Masters Edition of Posthumous Original Bronzes" brochure]























[page 7, "The Masters Edition of Posthumous Original Bronzes" brochure]
























[page 8, "The Masters Edition of Posthumous Original Bronzes" brochure]























[back cover, "The Masters Edition of Posthumous Original Bronzes" brochure]





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