One of Rodin’s favourite models was Adèle Abbruzzesi. Her supple, muscular body he drew inspiration from, which he worked through several strikingly sensual, female figures he sculpted. Clay, which he modelled while standing in front of the sitter, or which he pressed into a mould and later reworked, was the ideal material to use for a sketch, notably because of its capacity to evoke the velvety texture of the skin. Rodin was certainly a sculpting virtuoso of his day, but it seems that little inspired him as much as the softness of a woman’s belly, her arched back and even the weight of her breasts. The sculptor was very fond of this study, which he also presented in a slightly modified version, where this torso was used for the female figure in Eternal Springtime. (http://oldpainting.tumblr.com/post/118894954086/ganymedesrocks-ratak-monodosico-auguste)