Definitions: What is the original? (2)

After an analysis of the sometimes bitter controversies regarding the status of single works, we have reached the conclusion that the term "original" should remain restricted to objects that were handcrafted by the artist himself, or produced under his personal supervision. Arsenau´s demand, on the other hand, to name all posthumous casts "reproductions", ignores the specific process of translating a plaster to bronze: the bronze cast shows qualities not visible in the plaster, and the other way round.

Authenticity refers to both provenance and likeness to an original. Copies not handcrafted by the artist during his lifetime still can be considered "authentic", depending on how close they are to an original, in the number of working steps and in morphological quality.

The practice of applying Rodin signature stamps to posthumous casts is questionable. The right to authorize the quality of a bronze cast as an artistic success by signing it should remain with the sculptor, as the author of the work. Even if we know Rodin mostly let his foundry craftsmen apply the signatures according to an example he supplied, it should be respected that the right to sign a work is not automatically transferred with the copyright. Because of common foundry practice before and after Rodin´s death, the artist´s name appearing on a bronze cast today does not prove originality nor authenticity.

Therefore, other empiric methods are needed to identify plaster and bronze sculptures, when no written proof of provenance is available.

For a more complete analysis of this issue, please see Rodin at the R.O.M. - What Is The Original?