Artwork Page for Hand Mirror

Details / Information for Hand Mirror

Hand Mirror

c. 1900
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designer

Félix Bracquemond

(French, 1833–1914)
sculptor

Auguste Rodin

(French, 1840–1917)
enamelist

Alexander Riquet

(French)
goldsmith

Alexis Falize

(French, 1811–1898)
Culture
France
Medium
gold, enamel, and ivory
Measurements
Overall: 32.2 x 16.1 x 1.2 cm (12 11/16 x 6 5/16 x 1/2 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Ralph King, by exchange 1978.43
Public Domain
You can copy, modify, and distribute this work, all without asking permission. Learn more about CMA's Open Access Initiative.
Location
001A ArtLens Exhibition
Print
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Did You Know?

The mirror’s relief of Venus may be the only example of Rodin providing an ornament for a small decorative object.

Description

We often think of art as the work of just one person. In the case of this mirror, its harmonious appearance conceals the number of people involved in its creation. The designer Félix Bracquemond was commissioned by wealthy banker Baron Joseph Vitta to create decorative objects for his multiple homes. Bracquemond worked with other artists in making this mirror: well-known sculptor Auguste Rodin created the figure of Venus; artisan Alexandre Riquet fashioned the elaborate enameled decoration; and goldsmiths from Parisian jewelers Falize Frères completed the mirror and its blue translucent frame embedded with yellow, pink, and white flowers. Through close collaboration between patron, designer, and artists, this mirror represents the trend at the end of the 1800s for blending artistic specialties to create a single work of art.

The CMA’s collection includes Bracquemond’s preparatory drawings for the mirror and Rodin’s carved plaster model for the figure of Venus.
Back of an oval-shaped hand mirror. A central, smaller, gold oval depicts nude Venus, a goddess with her hands in her hair, rising out of blue waves. Four semi-circular arches on each side provide gaps between the central image and the turquoise blue enamel frame patterned with yellow, pink, and white flowers and green leaves. The mirror has a plain, beige rectangular handle and clusters of spheres sprouting in even intervals around the edge.

Hand Mirror

c. 1900

Félix Bracquemond, Auguste Rodin, Alexander Riquet, Alexis Falize

(French, 1833–1914), (French, 1840–1917), (French), (French, 1811–1898)
France

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