The Three Nymphs

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The composition of these three nude females echoes the classic arrangement of 'The Three Graces'. Nonetheless, Maillol contended that they were three nymphs of lush meadows, remarking that their power made them unsuitable to represent the Graces. Lucile Passavant, a pupil who later became a renowned sculptor and wood-engraver, posed for the central figure at nineteen years old. Between 1931 and 1937, Maillol labored on the three figures in plaster. The group was cast in lead in 1938; it is estimated that only six copies were created. Maillol chose lead as the material for this group because he believed bronze would be too somber to complement the flowery theme effectively.