Penelope

myminifactory

The legendary Penelope embodies unwavering devotion as the central figure in Homer's timeless epic poem The Odyssey. Conceived between 1905 and 1912, Penelope radiates intense longing and poignant waiting for a cherished one: her eyes shut tight, head cradled in her hand, she fervently hopes. It is an undeniable fact that this masterpiece draws heavily from the sculptor's deeply personal experiences. The striking facial features are skillfully modeled after his first wife, Stéphanie Van Parys. The majestic posture bears a striking resemblance to that of Cleopatra in "Sevastos in Ecstasy before the Hindu Gods," a renowned work on display at the British Museum in London, where Bourdelle had taken the young protégée who would eventually become his second wife. Initially crafted as a smaller-scale model (42.5 cm), Penelope was boldly enlarged to its final form (240 cm) to convey a sense of monumental grandeur. Every detail serves to create an impactful effect of dynamic mass. Like the fluted columns found in ancient Doric architecture, the folds of her tunic cling tightly to her robust forms, containing the expansive volumes within. And as her arm enfolds this figure of solitude, it gathers her into a powerful whole - "a soul that stands unshaken."