Map Ref. 8. (Item a). On the main path leading from the Winter Garden towards Lake Burley Griffin. The photograph on the right of the front of the sculpture was taken recently. The photograph on the left, of the sculpture facing Lake Burley Griffin, was taken circa. 1987.
For many years, Bourdelle worked as a studio assistant to Auguste Rodin. Whilst greatly influenced by Rodin's expressive style, Bourdelle's work is more severe. Bourdelle was influenced by his own discovery of classical Greek arts, particularly sculpture, mythology and literature. From this he took not only subject matter but, also, an austerity of human form and simplicity of dress.
It is common to associate statues of Penelope with the ancient Greek myth of the faithful wife, awaiting the return of her husband, Odysseus. Bourdelle's daughter, Rhodia Dufet Bourdelle, has advised the Gallery in correspondence that she believes that the facial features of Penelope are those of Bourdelle's first wife, Stephanie Van Parys, whilst the pose of the figure is recorded on a photograph in her archives, of Cléopatre Sevastos who was not only Bourdelle's pupil but, subsequently, his second wife and mother of Rhodia. (Thus, the statue of Penelope is in effect a synthesis of both of Boudelle's wives.)
Since Bourdelle is also known to have been inspired by the sculptures of classical Greece, another possibility is that this monumental work is in the tradition of the female caryatid columns on the portico of the Erechtheion on the Acropolis in Athens. There is a similarity in that the drapery over the extended knee has been drawn tight in places, so as to emphasis the upward, columnesque tension of the figure.
The Gallery also owns two bronze maquettes for this work, "Penelope" 1905, and "Penelope" 1907.
Map Ref. 8. (Items b and c). At least one of these maquettes would usually be on display within the Gallery building, on the ramp between the exit from the Temporary Exhibition Gallery No.10 and The Brasserie restaurant.
8b) Penelope 1905, also referred to as 'Penelope with the spindle', is a small bronze which has been cast from the original clay maquette. This maquette is clearly the most poetic study of the subject.
8c) Penelope 1907, or 'Penelope without the spindle' is both more severe and less romantic but, also, clearly the prototype for the Gallery's large statue, Penelope 1912, in the Winter Garden.
© 1995 Jane M Hyden