Rodin Museum

Rodin Museum

Type	Art museum, sculpture garden
Address	2151 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Map	View on Google Maps
Neighborhood	Fairmount
Phone	(215) 763-8100
Website	Official site
Established	1929
Founder	Jules Mastbaum
Director	Philadelphia Museum of Art
Hours	Wed-Mon 10 AM - 5 PM

Rodin Museum(215) 763-8100https://www.rodinmuseum.org2151 Benjamin Franklin ParkwayPhiladelphiaPAUS

The Rodin Museum is a museum on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in 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.

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.

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.

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 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.

The Gates contain over 180 figures, many of which Rodin later developed as independent sculptures, including The Thinker (originally conceived as Dante contemplating Hell).

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.

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.

The Grounds

Formal Garden

A long, tree-lined reflecting pool leads from the Parkway to the museum entrance, creating a processional approach 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 are displayed throughout the garden:

• 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

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

• Allow 45 minutes to 1 hour
• 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

• 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

• Philadelphia Museum of Art (5-minute walk)
• Barnes Foundation (3-minute walk)
• Franklin Institute (5-minute walk)

See Also

• Auguste Rodin
• Philadelphia Museum of Art
• Benjamin Franklin Parkway
• Sculpture in Philadelphia
• Art in Philadelphia

External Links

• Rodin Museum Official Website
• Visit Philadelphia Guide