France ◦ Paris|Rodin Museum

by YU-LING

Audiences who have watched Woody Allen's "Midnight in Paris" are undoubtedly familiar with the Rodin Museum. In the film, apart from the memorable portrayal of Carla Bruni, the former First Lady of France, the sculptures at the Rodin Museum truly touched my heart.

◦ The uniqueness of the Rodin Museum

The Rodin Museum, constructed in the early 18th century, is a captivating historic building that is worth visiting. Auguste Rodin was deeply drawn to this mansion upon his first visit, moved in during 1910 and made it his peaceful residence for his later years.

Before his passing, Rodin made the decision to donate all of his works to the French government, with the condition that the collection must be open to the public. As a result, the world has been gifted with this dynamic art museum and its magnificent outdoor gardens, offering an abundance of beauty to behold.

◦ Two works that captivated me

I stood under "The Thinker" (Le Penseur) for quite a while, experiencing the aura that seemed to penetrate the depths of the earth from the perspective. From the furrowed brow and solemn expression to the tension evident in every muscle fiber throughout his body, Rodin infused this seemingly lifeless, cold sculpture with vibrant mind and soul.

Apart from "The Thinker," the sculpture that held my gaze the longest was "The Gates of Hell" (La Porte de l'Enfer), inspired by Dante's "Divine Comedy." Souls leaping out of the earth, their bodies tightly intertwined with the door frame, unable to separate. A profound sense of unease emerged, lingering within me for a long time.

◦ The outdoor scenery

In the outdoor gardens of the Rodin Museum, many people can be found observing and sketching. The focused artists, engrossed in their work, alternate between looking up to observe and looking down to depict. The overall sense of time almost stands still, creating an intriguing juxtaposition with the completely static sculptures.

Rodin Museum
To get to the Rodin Museum, you can take the following route: 
Take Metro Line 13 to Varenne station. Alternatively, you can take Metro Lines 13 or 8 to Invalides station. From either station, you can reach the museum by walking.

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