– The body always expresses the spirit whose envelope it is. And for him who can see, the nude offers the richest meaning.

Auguste Rodin (1840–1917) is among the most famous sculptors within realism and figurative art. Rodin wanted to be an artist from an early age, but found it to be a long and rocky road. By the 1880's however, he had made some success, by the end of the century he was internationally renowned.

Originally, Cariatide tombée à l’urne was part of his lmagnum opus, The Gates of Hell, a portal for the entrance to a French museum of decorative arts that was planned, but never built. This entrance was to be encircled by numerous figures, some of which he produced individually in various sizes. One of them is Eve, the second Rodin sculpture in the park.

In classical architecture, a caryatid is a column in the shape of a female figure. Cariatide tombée à l’urne hasn't been able to keep upright, but has collapsed under the burden of the urn. Auguste Rodin himself considered this to be one of his most popular characters and best overall compositions.

Cariatide tombée à l’urne, 1880–81.

Bronze, 123 cm.