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Camille Claudel by Alma H. Bond

heptinstalls, February 14, 2008

When pen meets paper our mind can take over and lead us into unknown places. The same is said of Camille Claudel, except for her it was a piece of clay or marble.This book is a work of art in itself. Dr.Bond gives us a psychological insight into the depth and understanding of the heart, mind and soul of Camille. We also see the in-securites Camille had because of a leg that was shorter than the other. Camille had a limp when she walked, and was always laughed at in school by the other children. One day her brother Paul came to her defense, and fought with another boy because of what was said. After that the kids never made fun of her again, but in the dark resources of her mind she always saw people laughing or talking about her.

The book begins with Camille telling her life story in the confines of an insane asylum where she has lived for the past 30 years. She wanted to leave a message for women in the future about her struggles as a sculptor. The torment, presecution,prejudice and unfair treatment, all because of the male dominated artist community. This book is a work of fiction but backed by historical facts.

When Camille was a young girl her Papa saw her playing in the mud making figures. He walked over and looked at what she was doing. Then with tears in his eyes he told her they were really good. Camille had captured the soul of her Papa in a piece of mud. He told her he would try and get her some clay. If Camille did as well with clay as she did with mud he would take both Camille and her figures, and show them to Alfred Boucher, the famous sculptor in Nogent-sur-Sein. Her Papa was the only constant in her life. He believed deeply in his daughters talents, and did all he could to help her until the time of his death.

Camille's Maman (mother) did not like her. She was still mourning the death of her first child, a son, who had died only fifteen days after his birth. When Camille was born she was never given the nurturing of a mother's love. Two years later her brother Paul was born. He brought great joy to his Maman, and Camille loved him dearly. Then came Louise of whom Camille hated. As Camille and Paul began to grow they had a relationship bordering on incest. The relationship haunted Paul for many years, but he still loved his sister. Louise was the perfect, beautiful, daughter Maman had always wanted. Camille was never allowd to touch or hug her Maman. She was told; "You don't deserve to be in this distinguished family because you are a violent, visious child. She was at fault for all the fights that took place in the family." No matter who was fighting, her Maman blamed Camille for every thing.

Camilee's Papa kept his word, and took both Camille and her figures to meet Alfred Boucher. Boucher could see the work of a future genius. He told them about a famous school in Paris. The only problem was they charged twice the cost for a female student than a male. Both Camille and her Papa were outraged. The unfairness of it was something Camille would never forget.

Boucher mentioned another school that accepted both male and female students. Camille enrolled but was soon frustrated. The work neither challenged her, or taught her how to bring to life the feelings she had inside of her. Finally Brocher brought her into his atelier (studio) as another apprentice. Camille began to come alive under his instruction. Her arms would ache by the time she finished for the day, but she did not care. All that mattered to her was her drive to be a sculptor. One day Boucher told his apprentices he had to go away; but they were not to worry as he had other sculptors that would come and help them while he was gone.

One day Agusta Rodin came in. He was considered to be one of the greatest sculptors of all time. As he would walk around and talk to the students he seemed to spend more time with Camille than the others. As time went on his hand would stay a little longer on her arm. Or brush across her breast as he was showing her something.

He considered her work to be brilliant. He invited Camille to become the first female apprentice he had ever had. Even thought he was a married man he wanted Camille as his mistress. She fought the feelings he created inside of her. She even went away for awhile. But she dreamed at night only of him. She imagined how it would feel to be held and loved by him. She had fantasies about them making love. In the end she returned to Paris and became his mistress. For ten years her life was full of laughter, play, work and sexuality. Some days they worked and others were spent making love. At times they forgot who had sculpted what. Their talents were so alike it was hard for anyone to tell who did what.

When the author describes the feelings Camille felt as she worked the clay, I wanted to buy some clay and feel it in my hands. I wanted to kneed it and roll it around in my palm. That is how powerful this story is.

Eventually Camille wanted more from Rodin. She wanted to marry him. He would always put her off saying maybe next spring etc. She had the feeling that Rodin was cheating on her. But she chose to over look it. One day she went to him and said they had to get married because she was pregnant. He flew into a rage and threw some money at her and said get rid of it. It was at that moment she knew he no longer loved her. She doubted if he ever had. She got the abortion and with the help of her Papa found a small apartment and moved out. She brought all the stuff that she could with her when she moved. When she went back to retrieve the rest, Camille found out that Rodin had sold her art and claimed it was his work.

That was the beginning of Camille's spiral fall into madness. No one would believe the work she claimed as her own. She got a few commissions from friends and it would help to pay the rent and buy some food. Then she received request from France to do some work. But they never payed like they said they would. They would give her a small amount of money but then she had to fight them for the rest. She was starving and found herself one night going through people's garbage trying to find something to eat. She fell into a deep depression. Camille became paranoid that Rodin was behind everything that was happening to her. Her hatred towards him grew deeper as each day passed. Camille would hide the sculptures she had made as she knew that Rodin had hired someone to steal her art. She boarded up her little apartment to make sure no one could get in and steal her work. She stayed inside and only went out at night to find food. She was filthy and her hair was matted. She lived with her cats and almost never saw another person.

Camille could no longer realize what was fact or what was fiction. One night there was a knock on her door. She refused to answer it. The next thing she knew the door was broken open and she was being taken to the asylum.

There is so much passion in this book, that I will never look at a piece of art again, and not think of Camille. Thank you Dr. Bond---you have opened my eyes to a whole new world.

Sandra Heptinstall
Wispering Winds Book Reviews

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