Between elegance and enigma, Achille Fidi intrigues.

Achille Fidi was an Italian sculptor of remarkable talent, active in the early 20th century. Based in Asnières, France, he is best known for his elegant statuettes, often signed “A. Fidi,” and crafted in bronze, ivory, marble, or mixed media. Although little is known about his formal training, Fidi’s works were admired for their finesse and grace, reflecting the refined decorative aesthetic of the Belle Époque.

Fidi’s name gained broader notoriety following a dramatic scandal in 1919, known as the “Rodin forgery affair.” He was implicated in a major case of art forgery, accused of collaborating with Jacques Bouyon de Chalus—the husband of Rodin’s widow—in the distribution of forged bronzes falsely bearing Rodin’s signature and inscriptions. The affair uncovered a network of falsifications involving several dealers and craftsmen. In his defense, Fidi pleaded poverty, citing the burden of supporting his five children.

Despite the controversy, Achille Fidi remains a figure of interest in early 20th-century art history. His authenticated works, though rare, are valued for their craftsmanship and delicacy, and continue to attract collectors and scholars interested in both the artistic and legal narratives of the period.

Literature :

• PANZETTA, A. Nuovo Dizionario degli Scultori Italiani dell’Ottocento e del primo Novecento. 3e éd. Italy : Umberto Allemandi & C., 2003. Vol.1. p. 441.
• « La multiplication des Rodins : La production était si active qu’un prix-courant s’était établi ! ».1919. Le Matin (Paris), 10 mai, p. 1.