Pencil on paper, signed and inscribed at lower right "(illegible) a mon ami Mael / A. Rodin," inscribed "559008" to verso of sheet, mounted and framed under glass.

Sheet 12 7/8 x 9 3/4 in.; Frame dimensions 21 1/2 x 18 3/8 in.

Pierre Maël was the pseudonym of Charles Causse (French, 1862-1904) and Charles Vincent (French 1851-1920). Charles Causse was a particularly close friend of Auguste Rodin and spent time socializing with the artist and his family at the Villa des Brillants in Meudon, France.

A photograph of Rodin by Eugène Druet with a similarly affectionate inscription from Rodin to Maël is in the collection of the Musée Rodin in Paris. A bronze sculpture, modeled after Camille Claudel, and gifted by Rodin to Maël is in the collection of the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Dijon.

Light toning to sheet; minor loss to lower edge of sheet; small tear to proper left edge of sheet.

$2,000 - 4,000