Rodin's L'eternal Printemps (1884) led an auction of impressionist and modern art at Bonhams London, achieving £938,500 ($1.5m) in a February 4 sale.

Rodin created L'eternal Printemps during an affair with sculptor Camille Claudel

That's an increase of 50% on its £700,000 ($1m) estimate.

The work was created during a torrid affair with a young sculptor named Camille Claudel.

India Phillips, Bonhams' head of impressionist and modern art, says: "Rodin's complex structure perfectly complements the erotic sensuality of the figures: for me, L'Eternel Printemps is one of his most dynamic works.

"It is exciting to see a piece that both so clearly maps his development as an artist and is so closely tied to his personal life."

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