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'''The Rodin Museum''' is a museum on the [[Benjamin Franklin Parkway]] in [[Fairmount, Philadelphia|Fairmount]] dedicated to the work of French sculptor '''Auguste Rodin''' (1840-1917). The museum houses the largest collection of Rodin's work outside Paris, including bronze casts of his most famous sculptures: ''The Thinker'', ''The Gates of Hell'', ''The Burghers of Calais'', and ''The Kiss''. The intimate museum and its beautiful gardens offer a contemplative experience focused on one of the greatest sculptors in history.<ref name="rodin">{{cite web |url=https://www.rodinmuseum.org/about |title=About the Rodin Museum |publisher=Rodin Museum |access-date=December 30, 2025}}</ref>
'''The Rodin Museum''' sits on the [[Benjamin Franklin Parkway]] in [[Fairmount, Philadelphia|Fairmount]], dedicated entirely to French sculptor '''Auguste Rodin''' (1840-1917). You'll find the largest collection of his work anywhere outside Paris here, featuring bronze casts of his most famous pieces: ''The Thinker'', ''The Gates of Hell'', ''The Burghers of Calais'', and ''The Kiss''. The intimate setting and gorgeous gardens create something rare. A space built for reflection, for standing with one of history's greatest sculptors.<ref name="rodin">{{cite web |url=https://www.rodinmuseum.org/about |title=About the Rodin Museum |publisher=Rodin Museum |access-date=December 30, 2025}}</ref>


The museum was a gift to the City of Philadelphia from movie theater magnate '''Jules Mastbaum''', who assembled the collection in the 1920s. Mastbaum commissioned the French architect Paul Philippe Cret to design the museum building, which opened in 1929. The museum is now administered by the [[Philadelphia Museum of Art]], and admission includes access to both institutions.<ref name="visit">{{cite web |url=https://www.visitphilly.com/things-to-do/attractions/rodin-museum/ |title=Rodin Museum |publisher=Visit Philadelphia |access-date=December 30, 2025}}</ref>
Movie theater magnate '''Jules Mastbaum''' gave this museum to Philadelphia. He'd assembled the collection during the 1920s, became obsessed with Rodin's vision, and wanted to share it. Mastbaum hired French architect Paul Philippe Cret to design the building, which opened in 1929. Today the [[Philadelphia Museum of Art]] runs it, and your ticket gets you into both places.<ref name="visit">{{cite web |url=https://www.visitphilly.com/things-to-do/attractions/rodin-museum/ |title=Rodin Museum |publisher=Visit Philadelphia |access-date=December 30, 2025}}</ref>


== History ==
== History ==
Line 25: Line 25:
=== Jules Mastbaum ===
=== 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.
'''Jules Mastbaum''' (1872-1926) was a Philadelphia businessman who'd built a chain of movie theaters. He discovered Rodin's work in the 1920s and couldn't shake it. He started buying everything he could find.


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.
Bronze casts, marble pieces, drawings, prints. He purchased directly from Rodin's estate and the Musée Rodin in Paris. His goal was straightforward: bring Rodin to America, give Philadelphia something extraordinary.


Tragically, Mastbaum died in 1926, before the museum's completion. His widow, Etta Mastbaum, saw the project through to its opening in '''November 1929'''.
But Mastbaum died in 1926. He never saw his museum open. His widow, Etta Mastbaum, finished what he'd started. The doors opened in '''November 1929'''.


=== The Building ===
=== 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.
'''Paul Philippe Cret''' designed the museum in the Beaux-Arts style. It's a classical structure approached through a formal garden that deliberately echoes the atmosphere of the Musée Rodin in Paris.


=== Philadelphia Museum of Art ===
=== 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.
The Rodin Museum came under the care of the [[Philadelphia Museum of Art]] in 1939. That arrangement has kept the collection professionally maintained while letting it remain its own thing.


== Collection ==
== Collection ==
Line 59: Line 59:
=== The Gates of Hell ===
=== The Gates of Hell ===


Rodin worked on '''The Gates of Hell''' for nearly 40 years, creating a monumental bronze doorway inspired by Dante's ''Inferno''. The work was never completed in Rodin's lifetime, but bronze casts were made after his death.
Rodin spent almost four decades on '''The Gates of Hell'''. Nearly 40 years. He drew inspiration from Dante's ''Inferno'' and created a monumental bronze doorway that seems to contain all human suffering and struggle. He never finished it in his lifetime, yet bronze casts were cast after his death.


The Gates contain over 180 figures, many of which Rodin later developed as independent sculptures, including ''The Thinker'' (originally conceived as Dante contemplating Hell).
Over 180 figures inhabit these doors. Many became independent sculptures later. ''The Thinker'' emerged from this work, originally conceived as Dante standing at the top, looking down at the chaos.


=== The Thinker ===
=== The Thinker ===


'''The Thinker''' is positioned prominently in the garden, greeting visitors as they approach the museum. The figure represents a man in deep meditation, struggling with powerful internal conflict.
You see '''The Thinker''' right away. It dominates the garden, posed at the reflecting pool's head where visitors encounter it first. This man sits in the grip of interior conflict, wrestling with something vast and unknowable.


Originally titled ''The Poet'', the sculpture was meant to represent Dante at the top of the Gates of Hell. It has become one of the most recognized works of art in the world.
Rodin originally titled it ''The Poet''. He meant it to be Dante contemplating Hell below. It's become one of the world's most recognizable artworks. Everyone knows this figure.


== The Grounds ==
== The Grounds ==
Line 73: Line 73:
=== Formal Garden ===
=== Formal Garden ===


A long, tree-lined reflecting pool leads from the Parkway to the museum entrance, creating a processional approach that builds anticipation:
The approach matters here. A long tree-lined reflecting pool stretches from the Parkway to the entrance, a processional path that builds anticipation:
* Clipped hedges and formal plantings
* Clipped hedges and formal plantings
* Reflecting pool with ''The Thinker'' at its head
* Reflecting pool with ''The Thinker'' at its head
* Benches for contemplation
* Benches for contemplation
* Views of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway
* Views of the [https://biography.wiki/a/Benjamin_Franklin Benjamin Franklin] Parkway


=== Sculpture Garden ===
=== Sculpture Garden ===


Bronze sculptures are displayed throughout the garden:
Bronze sculptures populate the garden grounds. You walk around them. Natural light shifts throughout the day, constantly changing how they look. Trees and landscaping frame each piece.
* Outdoor setting allows viewers to walk around works
* Natural light creates changing effects throughout the day
* Trees and landscaping complement the sculptures


== Visiting the Rodin Museum ==
== Visiting the Rodin Museum ==
Line 110: Line 107:
=== Tips ===
=== Tips ===


* Allow 45 minutes to 1 hour
Budget 45 minutes to an hour. The garden's worth visiting even if you skip the interior. Combine your trip with the nearby [[Philadelphia Museum of Art]] just down the street. Morning light or late afternoon sunlight hits the sculptures best.
* Visit the garden even if you don't enter the museum
* Combine with a visit to the nearby [[Philadelphia Museum of Art]]
* Best lighting: morning or late afternoon


=== Getting There ===
=== Getting There ===

Latest revision as of 23:54, 23 April 2026

Rodin Museum



TypeArt museum, sculpture garden
Address2151 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
MapView on Google Maps
NeighborhoodFairmount
Phone(215) 763-8100
WebsiteOfficial site
Established1929
FounderJules Mastbaum
DirectorPhiladelphia Museum of Art
HoursWed-Mon 10 AM - 5 PM
Rodin Museum(215) 763-81002151 Benjamin Franklin ParkwayPhiladelphiaPAUS

The Rodin Museum sits on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Fairmount, dedicated entirely to French sculptor Auguste Rodin (1840-1917). You'll find the largest collection of his work anywhere outside Paris here, featuring bronze casts of his most famous pieces: The Thinker, The Gates of Hell, The Burghers of Calais, and The Kiss. The intimate setting and gorgeous gardens create something rare. A space built for reflection, for standing with one of history's greatest sculptors.[1]

Movie theater magnate Jules Mastbaum gave this museum to Philadelphia. He'd assembled the collection during the 1920s, became obsessed with Rodin's vision, and wanted to share it. Mastbaum hired French architect Paul Philippe Cret to design the building, which opened in 1929. Today the Philadelphia Museum of Art runs it, and your ticket gets you into both places.[2]

History

Jules Mastbaum

Jules Mastbaum (1872-1926) was a Philadelphia businessman who'd built a chain of movie theaters. He discovered Rodin's work in the 1920s and couldn't shake it. He started buying everything he could find.

Bronze casts, marble pieces, drawings, prints. He purchased directly from Rodin's estate and the Musée Rodin in Paris. His goal was straightforward: bring Rodin to America, give Philadelphia something extraordinary.

But Mastbaum died in 1926. He never saw his museum open. His widow, Etta Mastbaum, finished what he'd started. The doors opened in November 1929.

The Building

Paul Philippe Cret designed the museum in the Beaux-Arts style. It's a classical structure approached through a formal garden that deliberately echoes the atmosphere of the Musée Rodin in Paris.

Philadelphia Museum of Art

The Rodin Museum came under the care of the Philadelphia Museum of Art in 1939. That arrangement has kept the collection professionally maintained while letting it remain its own thing.

Collection

Signature Works

Work Date Description
The Thinker 1880 Iconic figure contemplating existence; positioned in the garden
The Gates of Hell 1880-1917 Monumental bronze doors featuring over 180 figures
The Burghers of Calais 1884-1895 Group depicting six medieval citizens sacrificing themselves
The Kiss 1882 Marble sculpture of embracing lovers
Eternal Springtime 1884 Romantic couple in tender embrace

The Gates of Hell

Rodin spent almost four decades on The Gates of Hell. Nearly 40 years. He drew inspiration from Dante's Inferno and created a monumental bronze doorway that seems to contain all human suffering and struggle. He never finished it in his lifetime, yet bronze casts were cast after his death.

Over 180 figures inhabit these doors. Many became independent sculptures later. The Thinker emerged from this work, originally conceived as Dante standing at the top, looking down at the chaos.

The Thinker

You see The Thinker right away. It dominates the garden, posed at the reflecting pool's head where visitors encounter it first. This man sits in the grip of interior conflict, wrestling with something vast and unknowable.

Rodin originally titled it The Poet. He meant it to be Dante contemplating Hell below. It's become one of the world's most recognizable artworks. Everyone knows this figure.

The Grounds

Formal Garden

The approach matters here. A long tree-lined reflecting pool stretches from the Parkway to the entrance, a processional path that builds anticipation:

  • Clipped hedges and formal plantings
  • Reflecting pool with The Thinker at its head
  • Benches for contemplation
  • Views of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway

Sculpture Garden

Bronze sculptures populate the garden grounds. You walk around them. Natural light shifts throughout the day, constantly changing how they look. Trees and landscaping frame each piece.

Visiting the Rodin Museum

Hours

  • Wednesday-Monday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
  • Closed: Tuesday
  • Closed major holidays

Admission

  • Pay-what-you-wish: Suggested donation of $5
  • Admission includes access to the Philadelphia Museum of Art
  • Free for Philadelphia Museum of Art members

What to See

  • The Gates of Hell: At the museum entrance
  • The Thinker: In the formal garden
  • The Kiss: Inside the museum
  • The Burghers of Calais: In the garden
  • Gallery rooms with smaller sculptures and drawings

Tips

Budget 45 minutes to an hour. The garden's worth visiting even if you skip the interior. Combine your trip with the nearby Philadelphia Museum of Art just down the street. Morning light or late afternoon sunlight hits the sculptures best.

Getting There

  • SEPTA Bus: Routes 32, 38
  • Walking: On the Benjamin Franklin Parkway between 21st and 22nd Streets
  • Parking: Street parking or Philadelphia Museum of Art garage

Nearby Attractions

See Also

References

  1. ↑ "About the Rodin Museum". Rodin Museum. Retrieved December 30, 2025
  2. ↑ "Rodin Museum". Visit Philadelphia. Retrieved December 30, 2025

External Links

Retrieved from "https://philadelphia.wiki/index.php?title=Rodin_Museum&oldid=5605"