The Rodin Museum
The Basketball Museum.
Geddit?
Basketball... Dennis Rodman... Rodin...
Oh, please yourselves!
Philadelphia may seem like strange place for a museum to the works of a European sculptor but, nevertheless, here it is. The museum's founder was a big fan and amassed a collection of both originals and reproductions, which are here for your delectation for a very reasonable voluntary donation.
Given that I had already had a day of Dali and other assorted art, I felt I should throw in a little sculpture to round off my culture-vulture day!
Geddit?
Basketball... Dennis Rodman... Rodin...
Oh, please yourselves!
Philadelphia may seem like strange place for a museum to the works of a European sculptor but, nevertheless, here it is. The museum's founder was a big fan and amassed a collection of both originals and reproductions, which are here for your delectation for a very reasonable voluntary donation.
Given that I had already had a day of Dali and other assorted art, I felt I should throw in a little sculpture to round off my culture-vulture day!
From the website of The Rodin Museum in Philadelphia:
Auguste Rodin (French, 1840–1917) brought monumental public sculpture into the modern era. Though he was well acquainted with the academic traditions and idealized subjects of classical and Renaissance sculpture, Rodin's aim in his work was to be absolutely faithful to nature. His uncanny ability to convey movement and to show the inner feelings of the men and women he portrayed, the bravura of his light-catching modeling, and his extraordinary use of similar figures in different mediums, have established him as one of the greatest sculptors of all time.
The Rodin Museum was the gift of movie theater magnate Jules Mastbaum (American, 1872–1926) to the city of Philadelphia. Mastbaum began collecting works by Rodin in 1923 with the intent of founding a museum to enrich the lives of his fellow citizens. Just three years later, he had assembled the largest collection of Rodin's works outside Paris, including bronze castings, plaster studies, drawings, prints, letters, and books. In 1926, Mastbaum commissioned French architects Paul Cret and Jacques Gréber to design the Museum building and gardens. Unfortunately, the collector did not live to see his dream realized, but his widow honored his commitment to the city, and the Museum was inaugurated on November 29, 1929.
Auguste Rodin (French, 1840–1917) brought monumental public sculpture into the modern era. Though he was well acquainted with the academic traditions and idealized subjects of classical and Renaissance sculpture, Rodin's aim in his work was to be absolutely faithful to nature. His uncanny ability to convey movement and to show the inner feelings of the men and women he portrayed, the bravura of his light-catching modeling, and his extraordinary use of similar figures in different mediums, have established him as one of the greatest sculptors of all time.
The Rodin Museum was the gift of movie theater magnate Jules Mastbaum (American, 1872–1926) to the city of Philadelphia. Mastbaum began collecting works by Rodin in 1923 with the intent of founding a museum to enrich the lives of his fellow citizens. Just three years later, he had assembled the largest collection of Rodin's works outside Paris, including bronze castings, plaster studies, drawings, prints, letters, and books. In 1926, Mastbaum commissioned French architects Paul Cret and Jacques Gréber to design the Museum building and gardens. Unfortunately, the collector did not live to see his dream realized, but his widow honored his commitment to the city, and the Museum was inaugurated on November 29, 1929.
The museum entrance is very popular with newlyweds, who are keen to have their photographs taken in the very impressive entrance.
I wonder how many of them know that the sculpture is called 'The Gates of Hell'?
I wonder how many of them know that the sculpture is called 'The Gates of Hell'?
This particular work is called The Burghers of Calais.
The facial expressions and sculpting of the hands are particularly marvellous. I found myself entranced by the sheer brilliance of this work.
It is phenomenal.
The facial expressions and sculpting of the hands are particularly marvellous. I found myself entranced by the sheer brilliance of this work.
It is phenomenal.