A sculpture from celebrated French artist Auguste Rodin is on display at the Bermuda National Gallery.

Le Désespoir, also known as Despair — the work of one of the most influential and innovative artists of the impressionist era — is a highlight at City Hall throughout July.

Made in 1890 out of bronze cast, the small scale model was created as part of Rodin’s world renowned Gates of Hell sculpture, a piece inspired by the Dante’s Inferno poem. It is part of The Private Collection Series, which features extraordinary pieces from collections that are rarely seen by audiences. Lisa Howie, Bermuda National Gallery director, said: “This is an opportunity for us to showcase a particularly fine object from someone’s private collection on the Island.

“In this particular case the collector is anonymous but the loan is enormous and having an original Rodin on Island is exceptional.

“Most people know him for The Thinker or The Kiss which are his well-known works but one of the reasons why Rodin’s work is heralded so important is because he is such an innovator.

“You don’t necessarily have to know a lot about art or specifically Rodin but when you have something exceptional, it’s almost as if it deserves to be looked at. Everybody goes to The Louvre to see the Mona Lisa.

“This is a Mona Lisa: it’s the same level of quality.”

A smaller scale rendered image of the monumental Gates of Hell sculpture is also on display behind Despair.

Ms Howie said the National Gallery is also interested in other private collections that may be available on the Island.

Rodin’s sculpture will be on display until July 25. Bermudian artist Norman Lewis and Canadian abstract artist Jean-Paul Riopelle will also feature during the Private Collection in the coming months.