Rodin Museum

Overview

The Rodin Museum holds the largest collection of Auguste Rodin's sculptures and drawings outside of Paris, housed in a 1929 Beaux-Arts building with a formal sculpture garden on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

Highlights

• The Thinker: A large bronze cast greets visitors at the entrance — one of the most recognizable sculptures in the world.
• The Gates of Hell: Rodin's monumental bronze door depicting scenes from Dante's Inferno.
• Sculpture Garden: Works are displayed both inside the museum and throughout the landscaped grounds.

History

Philanthropist Jules Mastbaum planned the museum to house his collection of Rodin works, but died before its completion in 1929. The building was designed by Paul Philippe Cret and Jacques Gréber in the French Beaux-Arts style.

Visitor Tips

• Pay-what-you-wish admission — suggested donation is generous access to masterworks.
• The garden is free to stroll through even without entering the museum.
• Duration: 30–60 minutes.