Postcards From Abroad: Paris, France, 27 Dec 2003: Musee Rodin <br><i>Sculptural Gems And Garden</i>

Tuesday, August 01, 2006

Paris, France, 27 Dec 2003: Musee Rodin
Sculptural Gems And Garden

Before he died, Auguste Rodin bequeathed his life's works to Paris. Musee Rodin houses several of the artisit's sculptures in a beautiful building, Hotel Biron, just east of Les Invalides. The irisdescent golden dome of the Invalides Church, Napoleon Bonaparte's final resting place, overlooks the museum garden.

Rodin's sculptures inhabit the museum garden. The Gates of Hell was Rodin's first major commission. Phantasmagorical scenes of Hades from Dantes' Divine Comedy play out in vivid high relief. Full-sized realizations of elements like 'The Shades' and 'The Thinker' stand, or sit, in solemn vigil nearby, iconic symbols in their own right.

The Burghers of Calais is one of Rodin's most dramatic and powerful sculptures. During the Hundred Years' War, Calais was besieged by the English. The city had to surrender six of her elite for presumed execution. Six men, led by Eustache de Saint-Pierre, volunteered. Stripped of their outer garments, with nooses around their necks, the men poured out conflicting emotions of fear, desperation, sorrow and calm resolve as they marched to their uncertain fate.