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The Rodin Museum
by Diane Lawyer
Musée Rodin, housed in Hôtel Biron, is located at 77 Rue de Varenne in the 7th district. The museum is directly across the street from les Invalides, home to the tomb of Napoleon.
Musée Rodin has on display thousands of pieces of the venerable 19th
century artist Auguste Rodin's sculptures, drawings, and artworks from
his personal collection, including pieces by Van Gogh, Renoir, and
Monet. Rodin is often referred to as the father of modern sculpture and
his works are considered amongst the most important of the late 19th and early 20th
century. Rodin's sculptures, in numerous mediums including bronze,
terra cotta, and marble are displayed throughout 17 rooms and salons of
Hôtel Biron.
Hôtel Biron began life as a private mansion built for Abraham Peyrenc, an upstart Parisian
wigmaker, and completed in 1731. After Peyrenc's death, the mansion
passed to various colorful owners but ended as property of the French
government. In 1916 the government agreed to establish a museum at
Hôtel Biron to honor Rodin.
In return as a stipulation of the government
establishing Musée Rodin, Rodin agreed to donate all of his
private collections, the entirety of his own works, including
sculptures, drawings, casting molds, personal and professional
archives, and all proprietary rights to same, as well as his residence
and its contents in Meudon. Sadly, Rodin died in 1917 and did not live
to see the opening of Musée Rodin in 1919.
Rodin maintained his primary residence as
well as continued to create his works primarily at Villa des Brillants
in Meudon, but rented the ground floor at Hôtel Biron in 1908 and
lived there periodically until his death in 1917 . Great care has been
taken to leave in place many of the furnishings and antiques used by
Rodin. It is possible that one may sit upon a sofa or chair once used
by Rodin.
Inside the mansion can be found some of the
most compelling and sensual sculptures in existence: The Kiss, Eternal
Spring, The Hand of God, the Age of Bronze, Danaid, and Fugit Amor, to
name only a very few.
The Hôtel Biron boasts beautiful, lush
gardens, containing some of Rodin's most celebrated sculptures,
including Le Penseur (the Thinker) and Portes de l'Enfer (The Gates of
Hell). The gardens may be toured alone or in combination with the
museum.
Entrance to the gardens is one euro. The
cost to visit the museum and gardens is 5 euros, free if under 18. This
ease of accessibility to the art, sculptures, gardens and furnishings
lends great charm and appeal to Musée Rodin and contributes to
it being one of the most visited museums in Paris.
Useful Information
Official website link: http://www.musee-rodin.fr/welcome.htm
Metro station: Varenne
RER: Invalides
Diane Lawyer also won the Paris Essay Contest for her essay on Rue Cler.
Copyright (c) 2007 - www.paris-hotel-by-district.com CH. All rights reserved.
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