Editing Rodin Museum (section)

== History ==

=== Jules Mastbaum ===

'''Jules Mastbaum''' (1872-1926) was a Philadelphia businessman who built a chain of movie theaters. In the 1920s, he became captivated by Rodin's work and began assembling a collection to donate to his hometown.

Mastbaum purchased bronze casts, marble sculptures, drawings, and prints directly from Rodin's estate and from the Musée Rodin in Paris. He planned to create a museum that would bring Rodin's art to American audiences.

Tragically, Mastbaum died in 1926, before the museum's completion. His widow, Etta Mastbaum, saw the project through to its opening in '''November 1929'''.

=== The Building ===

French-American architect '''Paul Philippe Cret''' designed the museum in the Beaux-Arts style, with a formal garden approach leading to a classical temple-like structure. The design was intended to evoke the contemplative atmosphere of the Musée Rodin in Paris.

=== Philadelphia Museum of Art ===

The Rodin Museum has been administered by the [[Philadelphia Museum of Art]] since 1939, ensuring professional care for the collection while maintaining its identity as a distinct institution.