by Elaine Jacobs

I am reeling from an absolutely overwhelming world-class exhibition at le Musée Rigaud in Perpignan. As France info puts it: “C’est l’un des grands événements culturels de l’été: Rodin-Maillol face à face“.

Meticulously curated, each room invites you to compare and contrast themes shared by these two “monstres sacrés” of 19th and 20th century sculpture: their approach to sculpting female and male figures; what each admired about the other’s work…

(The curation has also been rigorous. In other parts of the Musée you will find several equally lovely sculptures by Maillol – but within the framing of the exhibition, less is more.)

Curator Alex Susannà has chosen top-drawer works by both sculptors. You can see Rodin’s monumental Le Penseur side by side with a plaster cast of Perpignan’s own La Mediterranée; Rodin’s Le Baiser complemented by Maillol’s Le Désir; Rodin’s tormented Eve and Maillol’s apple-holding innocent…

One of my favourites (which adorns the front cover of the catalogue) is Maillol’s Leda. He movingly captures her alarmed flight reaction as (the unseen) Zeus, disguised as a swan, suddenly appears with lascivious intent.

Every room is an eye-opener – including work-in-progress maquettes and superb drawings from both masters.