‘The Thinker Hangs Out in Philadelphia’
The Rodin Museum is located in the Art Museum District of Philadelphia. The Museum contains the most extensive collection of sculptor Auguste Rodin’s works outside of Paris.
History of Rodin Museum
The Rodin Museum was a gift to the City of Philadelphia from movie theater magnate Jules Mastbaum (American, 1872 – 1926), who began collecting works by Rodin in 1923. He intended to have a museum that enriched the lives of his fellow citizens.
In 1926, Mastbaum hired two French architects to design the Museum’s building and gardens. Unfortunately, Auguste Rodin (1840 – 1917) never lived long enough to see this wonderful exhibit that honored his work.
The Rodin Museum opened to the public in 1929. It was inaugurated on November 29, 1929, with Rodin’s wife present.
Rodin Museum Experience & Atmosphere
If you did not know much about Rodin’s work outside of The Thinker (1880-1882), perhaps the most famous sculpture in the world, after visiting this Museum, you might walk away a complete fan.
The Rodin Museum has nearly 130 sculptures, including bronze casts of the artist’s most significant works, such as The Burghers of Calais, his most heroic and moving historical tribute. There is so much to look at and process with this one. The haunting facial expressions and large hands truly capture your attention. Another is The Gates of Hell, which Rodin worked on from 1880 until he died in 1917.
The Museum is currently under renovation and should be completed by the end of the Spring. The garden is still open. The ultimate goal is to restore the building and grounds in the spirit of their original 1929 design. Special focus will be placed on the relationship of the Museum’s entrance to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
If visiting Philadelphia, the Rodin Museum should be on your list of things to do in Philadelphia. The best thing about the Rodem Museum is that it is not obnoxiously large. You get just enough Museum to feel cultured, but not too much to where you pass into the land of boredom and aching feet. The tour is free, even though they ask for a donation of five dollars, and it would usually take about 30 minutes to go through the Museum. The Rodin Museum is a world-class collection of Rodin sculptures that tourists and Philadelphians should not miss.
Location
Benjamin Franklin Pkwy and 22nd St
Philadelphia, PA 19130
Phone
(215) 763-8100
Web Site
Related Articles About Museums in Philadelphia
- Fireman’s Hall Museum
- Franklin Institute
- Mummers Museum
- National Museum of American Jewish History
- National Liberty Museum
- Philadelphia Museum of Art – Fairmount Park, PA
- Philadelphia History Museum, aka Atwater Kent Museum
- Please Touch Museum – interactive Museum for kids
- Rodin Museum
Follow Us!