Rodin Museum
The Rodin Museum in Paris contains most of Auguste Rodin's significant creations. Rodin is considered the world's greatest sculptor since Michelangelo and a key innovator in art. Auguste Rodin Auguste Rodin was born in Paris in 1840 to parents of modest means. He started to draw at age 10 and entered la Petite Ecole, a school of After la Petite Ecole, Rodin worked for several decorators and ornamentalists for a few years and then worked with Carrier-Belleuse, a notable French sculptor, from age 24 to 32. When he was 35, Rodin traveled to Italy to study the work of Michelanglo which made a strong impression him. The trip inspired his sculpture The Age of Bronze which caused a scandal because critics believed Rodin used a casting of a live model in creating such a realistic work. This controversy brought Rodin more fame than praise might have. Rodin was known for his freshness. Some of his strong, expressive works, including "The Kiss" and "The Gates of Hell", were considered shocking in his day. Most people, even those with absolutely no art background, have heard of Auguste Rodin's "The Thinker." Throughout his life, Rodin received many honors for his work including important commissions, invitations to participate in exhibitions in many countries, honorary appointments including Grand Officer of the Legion h'Honneur and honory doctorates from Oxford University and other universities. Rodin lived with a companion, Rose Beuret, whom he married near the end of her life. She was the model for many of his works. Recently a rose, the Rodin Rose, has been developed and is displayed in the museum gardens. Earlier in life, Rodin had a pupil who later became a mistress. Her name was Camille Claudel. Unfortunately, she developed difficulties with paranoia which became evident in her later work. You can see this in her works displayed at the Rodin Museum. Rodin Museum Rodin rented the ground floor in a mansion known as the Hotel Biron starting in 1908. This mansion had been built by a hairdresser, Abraham Peyrenc, in the seventeenth century. Peyrenc wanted to build the most wondrous house Paris had ever seen, but he died one year after it was completed. His widow passed it on to the Duchess of Maine, and after her death it went to the Duke and Duchess of Biron. That is how this stunning mansion received its name. It had been owned by the government since 1905. Rodin was convinced that he could turn this hotel into a museum dedicated to his works. He succeeded, and the museum opened in 1919. Unforunately, Auguste Rodin did not live to see the opening. He died in 1917. The Rodin Museum features Rodin's works, as you would expect, but also houses works of other famous artists. You will find Rodin's sculptures in marble, bronze, plaster, wax, and terracotta. Tourists also enjoy works from Rodin's personal collection such as paintings by Monet, Renoir, and Van Gogh. During the time of Napoleon, the mansion was sold to a religious group and became a boarding school for girls of aristocratic families. It was forced to close in 1905 with the separation of the Church and State. The intent was to eventually destroy it, but first the government divided it into rental apartments. The mansion was in the midst of beautiful surroundings, making it attractive to artists. Rodin was not the only one to live there. Notably, Henri Matisse also rented this mansion. Rodin, however, was an artist with a dream. He persuaded the government to leave the mansion intact. He donated all of her property to the state, and the government agreed to give him his museum. It's interesting that Rodin's museum is in a building that was once owned by a religious group. In his personal life, he spent some time with a religious order. This happened as the result of the trauma of the death of his sister. Fortunately, the Father Superior recognized and encouraged his talent. The Rodin Museum offers tours for schools and other groups. It offers therapeutic tours for the mentally handicapped. Touch tours are available for the blind. The Rodin Museum is a place to see a large display of artwork and sculpture, primarily Rodin's, in one place. Among Rodin's world famous sculptures on display here are The Thinker, St. John the Baptist Preaching, Eve, and The Age of Bronze. Yet at this museum you will find so much more than just artwork. This is a place that tells the story of its times. It also demonstrates the entwining of lives and loves. If you're in Paris, you won't want to miss it. Photos To view my photos of a number of Rodin's works taken during our 2006 vacation, click on Photos of Rodin's works. Resource For more information, click on Rodin Museum. This is the official Rodin Museum website. At the home page, you have a choice of English or French.
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