Camille Claudel

Camille Claudel (December 8, 1864 – October 19, 1943) was a French sculptor and graphic artist. She was the older sister of the French poet and diplomat, Paul Claudel.

Confinement

Her father, who approved of her career choice, tried to help her and financially supported her. He died on March 2, 1913 and no one informed Claudel of his death. On March 10, 1913 at the initiative of her mother, she was forcibly admitted to the psychiatric hospital of Ville-Évrard in Neuilly-sur-Marne. She was committed by the signatures of a doctor and her mother. Until her death, Claudel was confined in various asylums, and created no art.

Related Topics:
March 2 - 1913 - March 10 - Psychiatric hospital - Ville-Évrard - Neuilly-sur-Marne

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For awhile, the press accused her family of committing a genial sculptor. Her mother forbade her to receive mail from anyone other than her brother. The hospital staff regularly proposed to her family that Claudel be released, but her mother adamantly refused each time. On June 1, 1920, physician Dr. Brunet, sent a letter advising her mother to try to reintegrate her daughter into the family environment.

Related Topics:
June 1 - 1920

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Paul Claudel, her brother, visited her every few years, though he referred to her in the past tense. In 1929 Jessie Lipscomb visited her.

Related Topics:
1929 - Jessie Lipscomb

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Camille Claudel died on October 19, 1943, after having lived 30 years in psychiatric hospitals, and without a visit from her mother or sister. (Her mother died on June 20, 1929.) Some biographies list her death as 1920. Her body was interred in the cemetery of Monfavet.

Related Topics:
October 19 - 1943 - June 20 - 1929

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