"Embracing one another, the woman adorably placing her head on the man’s shoulder, the couple is moving away, turning round and round in slow motion, voluptuous and chaste. They are nearly lifted off the ground, quasi-aerial, supported by a mysterious force which holds their leaning bodies in balance."

From the days of its first exhibition, La Valse was lauded by the critics. It also should be noted that as well as receiving critical acclaim, this subject was also beloved by many of Claudel’s friends and fellow artists. 

Of the many works by Claudel representing musical themes, La Valse was a particular favorite of Claude Debussy, with whom Claudel was extremely close, although the nature of their relationship has never been substantiated. He kept La Valse on top of the mantlepiece of his studio.

It has been noted that La Valse comprises some of Claudel’s most daring and personal works’’ and that with these works, Camille Claudel displayed a completely autonomous genius and takes a place among the greatest artists of the turn of the century.