In his sculpture Auguste Rodin has represented one of the Danaids in tearful frustration, water streaming from her broken jar, as her despairing, but graceful, figure mimics the contours of the rock over which she lies slumped.

According to Greek legend the Danaids were the fifty daughters of King Danaus, who was in conflict with his brother Aegyptos, father of fifty sons. The sons demanded to marry the daughters and in revenge Danaus ordered his daughters to kill their bridegrooms on their wedding night. As a result of their crimes, the Danaids were sentenced to the underworld where their punishment was the futile task of perpetually trying to fill leaky jugs with water. This legend was subsequently made part of Rodin's great works of art.

Rodin first started working on the sculpture in 1885. By 1889 Rodin’s first marble version of Danaid became part of the memorable French exhibition that took place. This exhibition was the one to launch Rodin’s reputation as a great sculptor.

More Info: www.musee-rodin.fr