La Valse 1905

Camille Claudel made La Valse out of bronze and plaster, and the way she's handled the material is just mesmerizing. The surface shimmers, like liquid metal, capturing a moment of pure motion. It's all about texture here – the rough, almost frantic handling of the medium conveying the energy and passion of the dance. The figures seem to emerge from the swirling base, their forms both defined and dissolving. Look at how the folds in the woman's dress become part of the chaotic, almost abstract, mass at the bottom. It's like the dance itself is consuming them. Claudel’s contemporary, Rodin, comes to mind, but her approach feels rawer, more emotionally charged. It’s art that embraces imperfection, valuing the process and gesture over a polished finish.