The Rodin Museum in Philadelphia houses the largest collection of Auguste Rodin’s works outside of France, including sculptures, paintings, and sketches. The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday, with free admission and special tours available. Visitors can also view famous works such as The Thinker and The Kiss in the outdoor garden. The museum was founded by Jules Mastbaum, a Philadelphia businessman, who donated his collection to the city.
The Rodin Museum is a facility in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This museum is dedicated to the works of the famous French sculptor Auguste Rodin. While Rodin was best known for his marble and bronze sculptures, the Rodin Museum also houses other works by the artist, including paintings, sketches, and historical artifacts. This facility is operated by the Philadelphia Museum of Art, which is just down the street, making it easy for visitors to visit both of these attractions in one day.
In the early 20th century, Philadelphia businessman Jules Mastbaum made it a personal goal to assemble a large collection of Rodin’s works, then donate these pieces to the city of Philadelphia. It took Mastbaum just three years to create the largest collection of Rodin creations in the world, outside of France. He donated these pieces to the city, then hired a pair of architects to design a museum to house the collection. Although Mastbaum died in 1926, his dream came true when the Rodin Museum opened its doors to the public.
The Rodin Museum consists of a temple-like building designed in the French neoclassical style. It houses many of the non-sculptural works, such as paintings and sketches. Most of the Rodin Museum’s sculptures are exhibited outdoors in the adjoining garden. Visitors will find more than 100 sculptures in the garden arranged among beautiful plant life and a central reflecting pool.
In the open-air garden of the Rodin Museum, visitors can view one of Rodin’s most famous works, The Thinker. This piece was designed in 1882 and features a seated man with his head resting and his hand out as he explores his inner thoughts. The Rodin Museum also features the Burghers of Calais, a popular tribute to the people of Calais, France for their efforts during the Hundred Years War. Both of Rodin’s most sensual works, including Eternal Sunshine and The Kiss, can be found at the museum. One of the most popular exhibits is The Gates of Hell, which Rodin spent more than 37 years perfecting.
The Rodin Museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday and closed on Mondays. Admission is free, although there is a suggested donation for visitors. Special tours are available, and guests can purchase Rodin-related items at the museum’s gift shop. Art lovers or tourists to the area might want to combine a trip to the Rodin Museum with a visit to the much larger Philadelphia Museum of Art, which is located nearby.
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