Rodin Museum, Philadelphia

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Being a big fan of Rodin this is one of my favorite places. There is a "Thinker" outside, a great photo op. Before you enter a "Gate of Hell" will greet you. Spend some time looking at each section of the gate.

Inside there are several small rooms which you can easily peruse before you sit down and just glaze at the big center sculpture "The Burghers of Calais". I like to walk around it before I sit down. There are many different seats so I move often looking at each angle.

Since the museum is air conditioned this is a great place to rest in Summer. There is a nice garden outside to picnic at. A small gift shop inside but no food. I didn't see any food vendors or stores near so shop before you come.

It is free on Sundays before a certain hour, only asking for a donation.

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The Rodin Museum in Philadelphia was the brainchild of philanthropist Jules E. Mastbaum who amassed the largest collection of the famed sculptor's works outside of his native Paris. The building itself is a Neoclassical work of art as designed by two French architects commissioned by Mastbaum who unfortunately did not live to see its opening in 1929. Particularly stunning is the reflection pool in serene gardens leading up to its entrance.

How I lived in Philadelphia for my first 12 years and nearby for another 20 without ever so much as thinking about going here is beyond me now but thankfully my wife wanted to do go on a number of our recent visits and made me commit to it the last time around. I am very happy she did. It was wonderful. I have never been a huge fan of sculptor though even a nitwit of the art form would have a hard time arguing with the name Rodin. The Thinker. Can't get much headier than that, now can you? Actually, there were quite a few very moving pieces including his culminating work, The Gates of Hell. The building was stunning, the gardens very relaxing despite being right in the middle of town, and the overall experience, world class art museum visit. It makes you proud to be a Philadelphian. If you have never been, by all means go. It's free though a $5 donation is suggested.

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Built in 1929, the Rodin museum houses a collection gathered by Jules Mastbaum.
The collection is amazing and is free to see but a contribution of $5 is suggested.

Free guided tours are given at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday, and on the first and third Saturdays of the month

Tuesday through Sunday: 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Closed Mondays and holidays.

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The great French sculptor Auguste Rodin (1840-1917) produced some of the finest works of art ever seen. The Rodin Museum in Paris is one of that city's best attractions. Not only does it have an impressive collection of art, but it also has very nice garden.

But Philadelphia has its own Rodin museum, too. Designed by French architects Paul Cret and Jacques Gréber, it rivals the one in Paris. It opened in 1929, financed by movie theater magnate Jules Mastbaum.

It's conveniently located near the Art Museum, so one can easily visit both during a day.

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No, you can't get a cheesesteak at Philly's Rodin Museum, but it it a touch of Paris in the City of Brotherly Love. The Rodin Museum is quite small, but it's rich in some of Rodin's best works. In fact, it has the largest collection of Rodin works outside Paris. Works in bronze, works in plaster, works big and works small, you'll see it all at the Rodin Museum.

My favorite sculpture was "The Burghers of Calais". It's a huge sculpture in the middle of the museum, that tells the story of six brave men who volunteered to go to their deaths during a British siege in Calais, France. The varied expressions on the mens' faces are so haunting, so realistic that you feel like you're right there with them. And as the story goes, the British authorities were so moved by their bravery that they spared the mens' lives. Quite a story, and just like behind many of the beautiful sculptures you'll find here.

The Rodin Museum is indeed small, only one story. You'll need no more than 1 1/2 hours to see it all. There's no admission charge but a "suggested donation" of $3. Pretty darn cheap for all this wonderful art.

Now, what's a museum dedicated to Rodin doing in Philadelphia? Well, a theater magnate named Jules Mastbaum had a huge collection of Rodin's works that he dedicated to his hometown upon his death in 1926. The Rodin Museum has been a Philly fixture ever since. It's near the Philadelphia Museum of Art, right in the "museum district", and well worth a visit.

Cheesesteak, Tasteekake and Rodin. I love Philly!!!

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No, you can't get a cheesesteak at Philly's Rodin Museum, but it it a touch of Paris in the City of Brotherly Love. The Rodin Museum is quite small, but it's rich in some of Rodin's best works. In fact, it has the largest collection of Rodin works outside Paris. Works in bronze, works in plaster, works big and works small, you'll see it all at the Rodin Museum.

My favorite sculpture was "The Burghers of Calais". It's a huge sculpture in the middle of the museum, that tells the story of six brave men who volunteered to go to their deaths during a British siege in Calais, France. The varied expressions on the mens' faces are so haunting, so realistic that you feel like you're right there with them. And as the story goes, the British authorities were so moved by their bravery that they spared the mens' lives. Quite a story, and just like behind many of the beautiful sculptures you'll find here.

The Rodin Museum is indeed small, only one story. You'll need no more than 1 1/2 hours to see it all. There's no admission charge but a "suggested donation" of $3. Pretty darn cheap for all this wonderful art.

Now, what's a museum dedicated to Rodin doing in Philadelphia? Well, a theater magnate named Jules Mastbaum had a huge collection of Rodin's works that he dedicated to his hometown upon his death in 1926. The Rodin Museum has been a Philly fixture ever since. It's near the Philadelphia Museum of Art, right in the "museum district", and well worth a visit.

No, you can't get a cheesesteak at Philly's Rodin Museum, but it it a touch of Paris in the City of Brotherly Love. The Rodin Museum is quite small, but it's rich in some of Rodin's best works. In fact, it has the largest collection of Rodin works outside Paris. Works in bronze, works in plaster, works big and works small, you'll see it all at the Rodin Museum.

My favorite sculpture was "The Burghers of Calais". It's a huge sculpture in the middle of the museum, that tells the story of six brave men who volunteered to go to their deaths during a British siege in Calais, France. The varied expressions on the mens' faces are so haunting, so realistic that you feel like you're right there with them. And as the story goes, the British authorities were so moved by their bravery that they spared the mens' lives. Quite a story, and just like behind many of the beautiful sculptures you'll find here.

The Rodin Museum is indeed small, only one story. You'll need no more than 1 1/2 hours to see it all. There's no admission charge but a "suggested donation" of $3. Pretty darn cheap for all this wonderful art.

Now, what's a museum dedicated to Rodin doing in Philadelphia? Well, a theater magnate named Jules Mastbaum had a huge collection of Rodin's works that he dedicated to his hometown upon his death in 1926. The Rodin Museum has been a Philly fixture ever since. It's near the Philadelphia Museum of Art, right in the "museum district", and well worth a visit.

The Rodin Museum, on the Parkway in Philadelphia, is second only to the Rodin Museum in Paris for the number of sculptures by the famed French artist. The Museum is home to 128 sculptures, including The Thinker, perhaps the most famous sculpture in the world.

The building itself is like a tiny jewel box, with a formal garden, lily pool, and bird sanctuary. The portico contains the original casting of "The Gates of Hell".

Other figures include "The Burghers of Calais," "Adam," "Eve," and "Saint John the Baptist Preaching." There are also busts of Mahler. Balzac, Shaw, and Victor Hugo.

The Museum was given to the city by Jules Mastbaum, a theatrical magnate, nearly 100 years ago.

Recording for daily events - 215-684-7500