Family discovers overlooked Rodin sculpture worth $1 million

An original sculpture by master French artist Auguste Rodin has fetched $1 million at auction after a family realized the artwork adorning their home was not a copy as they had long assumed. The 1892 piece, which had been kept without particular care or special security, was identified during a routine assessment of the family's art collection. The oversight is not uncommon among collectors who inherit artworks without proper documentation or provenance records.

Rodin, best known for monumental works like "The Thinker" and "The Kiss," created numerous sculptures throughout his prolific career in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Many of his works were cast in multiple editions, both during his lifetime and posthumously, making authentication crucial for determining value. The family's misidentification of their sculpture as a reproduction meant the artwork had not received the conservation standards typically afforded to authenticated originals.

The sale underscores the importance of proper art appraisal and documentation, particularly for inherited collections. Experts note that many valuable pieces remain unrecognized in private homes across the world, with owners unaware of their holdings' true worth or cultural significance. The discovery serves as a reminder for collectors and inheritors to seek professional evaluation of artworks in their possession, regardless of assumed provenance or condition.