I spent this past long holiday weekend in lovely Philadelphia and while there visited the
Rodin Museum.
Designed in 1929 by one of my favorite architects, Paul Cret (
Here and
Here), the museum and garden were built to house the largest collection of Rodin's work outside of Paris, collected by Jules Mastbaum.
Located right on Benjamin Franklin Parkway, the heart of Philly's City Beautiful movement area, this beaux arts neo-classical styled building graces a lovely green plot and garners quite a lot of attention with Rodin's famous "
The Thinker" standing guard!
A replica of the ruined facade of the old Chateau D'Issy graces the front of the garden, providing a gateway into the museum. Rodin had installed the chateau's facade in his own garden in Meudon, France.
Inside the courtyard, gravel paving, fragrant lavendar and shade trees seperate you from the busy parkway outside.
Shallow steps gracefully bring you up to the recessed entry through Doric columns.
While no longer the main entrance to the museum, Rodin's "Gates of Hell" -originally designed for the Museum of Decorative Arts in Paris - still stand outside despite being his most important work of art.
Rodin worked on this doorway, which incorporates more than 100 separate figures, from 1880 until his death in 1917.
The movement in this piece was really incredible and lifelike.
One of his most famous sculptures was actually a study for this gateway,
The Thinker (1880-1882).
Cret included a number of his own sculpted designs such as these bronze lion heads on the entry doors flanking Rodin's
gates. 
This was a period in Cret's career where he was transitioning from the Neoclassical design favored by the Beaux Arts into a more streamlined, Art deco style seen in these light fixtures below.
No one did it like Cret in my opinion! Following a discussion with a friend, no great building has a forgotten 'back side'. For example, above is the 'back' of the Rodin museum; better than most front facades, wouldn't you say?
The Rodin museum is currently at the end of an intensive restoration but will be open to the public in the spring of 2012. Until then, the gardens are still open for viewing.
Located right on Benjamin Franklin Parkway, the heart of Philly's City Beautiful movement area, this beaux arts neo-classical styled building graces a lovely green plot and garners quite a lot of attention with Rodin's famous "The Thinker" standing guard!
The movement in this piece was really incredible and lifelike.
One of his most famous sculptures was actually a study for this gateway, The Thinker (1880-1882).
Cret included a number of his own sculpted designs such as these bronze lion heads on the entry doors flanking Rodin's gates. 
This was a period in Cret's career where he was transitioning from the Neoclassical design favored by the Beaux Arts into a more streamlined, Art deco style seen in these light fixtures below.
No one did it like Cret in my opinion! Following a discussion with a friend, no great building has a forgotten 'back side'. For example, above is the 'back' of the Rodin museum; better than most front facades, wouldn't you say?
This looks like a gem of a museum. I'll have to do some research on the collection, but just the outside is worth a trip.
ReplyDeleteI have never been inside this museum. But I am a Cret fan, too! Thanks for the detail shots!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful building.
ReplyDeleteOf course whether or not a building has a "back side" depends on if it is going to be seen. The backs of many city buildings are uncomposed because no one is going to see them.
Parnassus - I'm definitely headed back up in 2012 to see the collection!
ReplyDeleteClassicist - I haven't been inside yet either and can't wait!
Austen - this raises a whole lot of questions about what 'true' architecture is. Someone at some point will see every side of every building. Of course economies must be made with materials but one could argue the design neededn't suffer based on material selections. Here the back of the building is very simple (admittedly still very nice with no economies taken) but uncomposing a facade is just the easy way out and 'bad design' in my book.
Many thanks S. - I discovered Cret through your blog and have to agree that he did some really wonderful work!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure that door alone is worth the trip. I was not familiar with this museum, so thanks for highlighting it.
ReplyDeleteStefan, Rodin is one of my most favored sculptors! Simply genius!
ReplyDeleteThe back of the world renowned Nelson Atkins Museum is just as stunning as the front.
Oh, I have a Dezigner Pillows Giveaway; Stefan I hope you will join in!
Then....
I will be out of commission for a month or so with a total left hip replacement.
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
Stefan -- love your third shot from the top. As always, appreciate the virtual tours.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely loved this museum, for the prime fact that when I visited thee was hardly anyone there. It was great just to sit in solitude with all these wonderful sculptures.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely loved this museum, for the prime fact that when I visited thee was hardly anyone there. It was great just to sit in solitude with all these wonderful sculptures.
ReplyDelete