France has been the home of many extremely talented and successful people, especially artists. One of my favourites being Rodin. The extremely gifted sculptor is the father of some of the most well-known and appreciated frozen recreations of the living. Even if you aren’t consciously aware of his pieces, you would have seen them scattered across the world – from movie and TV references, to sitting amongst the random nicknacks your grandma has on her mantelpiece. He is most renowned for ‘The Thinker’, ‘The Kiss’ and the magnificent ‘Gate of Hell’.

 

Born in 1820, Rodin began his art study in his early teens, and by 1877 he had one of his pieces exhibited in the the Salon de Paris, probably the greatest annual art event in the western world. His piece The Age of Bronze (1876), was extravagantly praised and condemned. His fans in complete awe of the astonishingly life-like sculpture, his critics accusing him of making a cast from life. But his critics claims were unjust, Rodin was seriously so talented that people could not believe his work was made with his own bare hands.

From there he went on to become one of the most respected sculptors of his time. He was commissioned to create the bronze door to the  Musée des Arts décoratifs in Paris, now known world-wide as the famous ‘Gate of Hell’, a piece left incomplete. But is most known for his famous piece ‘The Thinker’. The famous man, frozen in time and thought.

Generally Rodin is considered to be the most significant sculpture of his time and although he considered his work to be traditional he is commonly referred to as the father of modern sculpture.

During my time in Paris I visited the beautiful Rodin Museum, where the works of the great man are beautifully displayed within the historic mansion that Rodin once lived and worked in, and throughout the spectacular surrounding gardens. The Thinker sits on a high pedestal with the golden dome of Les Invalides visible in the skyline beyond his wise posture. There is a reason this figure so often represents philosophy, he seriously looks as if he could tell you the meaning of life if he broke his endless stream of thought.

The Rodin Museum is a real gem in the sea of art exhibitions that Paris has on offer. In only one or two hours you can enjoy a lifetime of masterpieces. I would highly recommend hiring the audio guide. It tells stories of Rodin’s fascinating history and journey in becoming the successful artist we are still admiring today, with all the quirky setbacks he encountered on the way.

Musée Rodin Paris

Musée Rodin, 79 rue de Varenne, 75007 Paris, France
Phone : +33 (0)1 44 18 61 10 

Open daily, except Mondays

Museum, temporary exhibition, garden and shop : open from 10am to 5.45pm
Last tickets sold at 5.15pm
Late night opening on Wednesday until 8.45pm

Entry: 9 euro

Audio guide: 6 euro

The building is served by Métro (line 13) : Varenne or Invalides, R.E.R (line C) : Invalides and Bus : 69, 82, 87, 92.