Denis Diderot

Camille Claudel

"First of all move me, surprise me, rend my heart; make me tremble, weep, shudder; outrage me, delight my eyes afterwards, if you can."
                                   - Denis Diderot

I just found this quote by the 18th century French philosopher, writer and art critic of the Enlightenment, Denis Diderot.  He was calling out for a new art from the excessive,depraved style of rococco that was favored by the aristocracy during the reign of Louis XV.

This impassioned statement  resonated within me and I started to think, "Of all the works of art I studied, which stood out and could be the answer to this plea?" After hours of contemplation, I came to the conclusion for me, it was Camille Claudel and Auguste Rodin's sculptures that made my heart tremble, weep and shudder... so much feeling, so much passion, so much pain...

Camille Claudel, The Age of Maturity, 1899
(Musee d'Orsay)