A bust of Napoleon by famed French sculptor Auguste Rodin long thought to be lost was found on display in a New Jersey borough hall where it sat for 85 years.
The bust’s origin was confirmed in 2015, but officials waited for ‘security purposes’ to reveal the multimillion dollar artwork was a long-lost piece by Rodin on Wednesday.
The owners of the circa 1908 bust announced it will be leaving Morris County borough hall on loan to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, The Daily Record reported .
The authentication was made in person by Jerome Le Blay, an international expert in modern sculpture.
A bust of Napoleon by famed French sculptor Auguste Rodin long thought to be lost was found on display in a New Jersey borough hall where it sat for 85 years
Philanthropist Geraldine Rockefeller Dodge purchased the sculpture after it was exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Officials believe Dodge donated the bust along with other art to the borough hall around 1942 where it sat for decades (pictured, Rodin circa 1880)
Le Blay reportedly told the mayor of Madison: ‘You’ve been living with this thing for 85 years and you have no idea what you have?’ said Nicolas Platt, president of the Hartley Dodge Foundation, which as part of an arrangement with Madison, owns the many artworks on public display in borough hall.
Philanthropist Geraldine Rockefeller Dodge purchased the sculpture after it was exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum of Art from 1915 to 1929.
Officials believe Dodge donated the bust along with other art to the borough hall around 1942. There, the bust sat for decades as its record was lost to time.
Madison Mayor Robert Conley was impressed by the news that confirmed town rumors.
‘I’d always heard the rumor it was a Rodin, but of course you hear all sorts of rumors. So to have it actually verified was quite impressive,’ Conley said. ‘To think that we’ve had people walking past it for years, not realizing the great piece of art they were sitting next to, or standing next to during a council meeting.’
The sculpture is estimated to be worth between $4million to $12million, according to experts.
The authentication was made in person by Jerome Le Blay, an international expert in modern sculpture. The sculpture (pictured) is estimated to be worth between $4million to $12million, according to experts
Officials at the Morris County borough hall (where the bust was found) announced it will be leaving to go on loan to the Philadelphia Museum of Art
Platt isn’t sure when the Rodin will return to its home in the borough hall. He says the Met has expressed interest in the bust, according to Platt.
Conley is happy with plans for the borough’s piece of history.
‘Art is meant to be appreciated, and the more it can be appreciated the better,’ Conley said.