Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 11, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 January 1914 — HAD FORGOTTEN HIS WORK [ARTICLE]

HAD FORGOTTEN HIS WORK

Auguste Rodin, French Sculptor, Sued for Calling One of His Bronze Statues a Forgery.

Auguste Rodin is faced with a curious action for damages. Recently he heard that a bronze statue entitled “The Earth,” described as being by him, was being offered for sale in some art rooms here. As he was unable to remember such a work, he informed the police and a warrant was Issued for the seizure of the supposed forgery. The art dealer made inquiries of the man from whom he bought the statue, and it was traced back from one purchaser after another to Prof. Heilbuth of Hamburg, who stated that he bought the statue from M. Rodin himself in 1899, and that Rodin wrote on it with his own hand, “First model.” Reminded of this, M. Rodin withdrew the charge of forgery and confessed his mistake. The dealer now alleges that his credit has suffered, and he is about to sue M. Rodin for heavy damages.