Rodin’s Eve is not the temptress picking the apple from the Tree of Knowledge, but Eve after the Fall. Perhaps in today’s world there is a timeliness in looking again at Rodin’s sculpture and reflecting on Eve’s plight.
His model was, supposedly, one of two Italian sisters: ‘The dark one had sunburned skin, warm, with the bronze reflections of the women of sunny lands; her movements were quick and feline, with the lissomeness and grace of a panther; all the strength and splendour of muscular beauty, and that perfect equilibrium, that simplicity of bearing that makes great gesture.’
All about Eve looked at this sculpture, with two life-size bronzes and one smaller version, each in a different space. The sculptures were seen along with remarkable photographs taken for Rodin and newly commissioned photographs by Iraida Icaza and Nicholas Sinclair. Other photographs by Icaza and Sinclair could be seen in the house.
Visitors were welcome to draw in the gallery, using drawing materials provided by Kettle’s Yard.
The exhibition was accompanied by an illustrated publication that is available to buy here.