Study for Penelope (Étude pour Pénélope)

In 1906, Bourdelle attended the Colonial Exhibition in Marseille with his wife Stéphanie Van Parys and Cléopâtre Sevastos, who had been his student since 1904. During the visit, he was struck by the sight of Cléopâtre, staring at Hindu art. The vision inspired him to make a series of pen-and-ink drawings (MBD4935, MBD4938). They all reprise the portrait of his new muse, with her crown of braided hair and large-pleated dress, her chin resting on her left hand and her right arm folded around her waist, as if the young Greek woman embodied – perhaps without even realising it? – the stance of Penelope, first composition of which dates from 1905. Cléopâtre was acknowledged as the model for several of Bourdelle's sculptures, including The Offering, Female Sculptor at Rest and Female Sculptor at Work. She also appears to be the inspiration for the stance of Penelope, whilst the face is that of Stéphanie Van Parys, Bourdelle's wife at that time. 

Lili Davenas