The Rodin Museum in Philadelphia
The Rodin Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania houses one of the greatest collections of sculptures by Auguste Rodin. Established in 1929, this world-famous museum is administered by the Philadelphia Museum of Art in Philadelphia, PA. Rodin is one of the most famous sculptors of modern times, who used various mediums to produce his masterpieces. Many of his works are on display in the museum. Others such as the "Filles de la Meuse," have only recently been acquired by the museum.
Among Rodin's most famous works are the bronze heads and busts which are found in the Museum. The head of Medusa is among the bronze models that are available for viewing. The exact measurements and shape of this statue can only be determined by close observation. This particular piece is one of a kind, and there are hundreds of similar bronze reproductions in the museum. Several other bronze heads and busts also exist.
One other highly detailed example of one of Rodin's more famous sculptures is The Gate of Hell, also found in the museum. Just as with the rest of Rodin's sculptures, exact measurements and dimensions can only be determined by close physical inspection. Just like all of Rodin's bronze pieces, the gate of hell is about ten feet across and almost three feet tall. A section of this sculpture has chains connecting the lower portion to the upper portions.
Like most other famous sculptures from the early modern era, The Gate of Hell is a replicant of ancient Greek temples. It is a tribute to the brilliance of the Phoenicians when it came to building and furnishing their religious structures. The Philadelphia museum acquired this bronze when it was being restored at the Philadelphia Museum of Art after restoration work was completed on the original building. The Gate of Hell stands alone as one of only a few replicas of this ancient temple that exists today. In fact, other bronze reproductions of the same type of sculpture also exist.
All of these replicas of famous sculptures from the early modern era were produced by skilled craftsmen working in the Philadelphia Museum of Art under the direction of Benjamin Franklin. Many of these bronze pieces were created during the tumultuous time frame in which the young Franklin lived and worked. The Philadelphia Museum of Art had been founded by Franklin. Many of his descendants continue to work hard to preserve this very important part of American history. Even today the Philadelphia museum maintains one of the largest collections of contemporary renaissance art in the world.
Benjamin Franklin invented the electric saw, and he used it to help cut metals. As an artist, he made some very good use of the electric saw. Some of his most famous sculptures may even be found in the Philadelphia Museum of Art and in his home. Franklin's most famous example of an industrial sculpture is the one of the Virgin of Louvain that sits on the banks of the Delaware River in Philadelphia. This massive statue is nearly five feet tall and weighs about two hundred and fifty pounds.
Visitors to the museum can also view three bronze statues of winged horses carrying torches into the city of darkness. Representations of night, day, and rain can all be found within the walls of this imposing museum. The wings of the horses and the smoke of the city are reflected in the three shades of bronze. Visiting the museum will give the bardic visitor a chance to hear Franklin talk about his own experiences with the dark and storms of his youth. One can hear him describe the death of a friend who was crushed under the wheels of a cart. The stories of his survival from such a terrible tragedy inspired the writing of this legendary play, " Franklin's biography."
Another bronze sculpture in the Philadelphia Museum of Art is by Wissant. He is a bronze sculptor who specializes in bringing to life large figures and ancient Greek and Egyptian subjects. His career has spanned thirty years and he has created many masterpieces that can be seen around the world. A walk through the Philadelphia Museum of Art would not be complete without a stop at a piece by Wissant. The Philadelphia International Artists' Festival calls on artists from across the country to come to the city for a week of art and creativity.
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