Past exhibition

Rhodia Bourdelle, story of a life, story of a museum

Du 18 November 2015 au 27 March 2016

Free

Publics

Handicap visuel Handicap moteur Handicap auditif Handicap mental

Daughter of Bourdelle, Rhodia (1911-2002) spent a cherished childhood in her father's studio - today's Musée Bourdelle. Her mother Cléopâtre, her husband Michel Dufet and herself, through tenacity and passion, transformed this place of work and life into a sanctuary open to the public: by exhibiting, publishing and editing Bourdelle's work, they made it shine far beyond the walls of the studio. The exhibition has been designed as a red thread: following this astonishing woman step by step, visitors will wander through memories, objects, words, images and voices. Unravelling the thread of this memory to its most intimate core, the exhibition sheds new light on the birth of an artist's museum by revealing its history.

The Musée Bourdelle is the home of the Bourdelle family, from the arrival of the young sculptor in 1885 until the death of his daughter Rhodia in 2002. Member of a large family whose circle was extended to include lifelong friends, adored by her father, Rhodia grew up alongside him, played among the sculptures which, in the evening twilight, casted fascinating shadows, immersed herself in the smell of wet plaster and the feverish atmosphere of the artist's studios.

Then, after her marriage to Michel Dufet, she lived in the workshops until her death; guardian of the temple, she remained attentive to keeping it alive by revealing its history. Her flat housed her personal effects, as well as her childhood drawings, piously collected by her father, her paintings, her correspondence, the albums of photographs that bring the family history to life, and her memoirs, which, after those of her mother Cléopâtre, recount the key events of a life dedicated to the glory of the master. These photographs, memories and memoirs, quoted in italics on the panels and labels, punctuate the tour.

A ‘painter of genius’, according to her father, she gave up her brushes to better fulfil her mission. She was present at her mother's side following the sculptor's death in 1929, supporting her in her fight to turn the site into a museum. After Cléopâtre's death in 1972, she became the curator and worked tirelessly to develop the collection, enrich the museographic tour, compile documentation, organise exhibitions and maintain links with Bourdelle's students. She was keen to promote Bourdelle's work throughout the world, not only through exhibitions but also through sales, so that Bourdelle would be present in the major museums. Her property at Le Coudray, skilfully converted by her husband Michel Dufet, is an open-air gallery where the sculptures can be viewed in a green setting. She is also fighting to enlarge the museum so that it can display monumental works. A workshop of memory, this exhibition takes visitors on a journey through the museum, guided by Rhodia herself; a guide imbued with filial love, revealing with modesty an intimate story: the daily life of a woman who devotes her life to the glory of her father.