Figural Study Appraisal

Figural Study (Attributed to Auguste Rodin)

This item is an unframed print, possibly an etching or drypoint, featuring a figural composition attributed to Auguste Rodin. The print is rendered in dark grey or black ink on what appears to be a light beige or off-white paper, which has aged to a slightly darker, mottled tone, suggesting some foxing or overall discoloration consistent with age. The composition depicts three nude or partially draped figures, two standing and one kneeling or seated. The lines are sketch-like and expressive, characteristic of Rodin's drawing style, focusing on the human form and its dynamics. The figures exhibit a sense of movement and interaction. The surface of the print shows visible signs of age and wear, including discoloration and faint speckles across the paper. The 'Rodin' signature is visible in the lower left corner, hand-written in a script that appears to be original to the piece, though its authenticity cannot be definitively confirmed from the image alone. The print is characterized by a relatively small size, as implied by its dimensions within the matting, which is visible as a light grey border around the image. There are no obvious tears or creases visible, but the overall impression is one of a faded and worn aesthetic. The craftsmanship suggests a hand-pulled printing process due to the slight irregularities inherent in such methods. The style strongly aligns with late 19th or early 20th-century figurative art, specifically associated with the Symbolist or pre-Modernist movements, given the influence of Auguste Rodin. The piece is matted, but the matting itself appears to be a simple, non-archival type, indicating it was likely framed at some point.