I spent the late morning and afternoon at the Rodin Museum - most of it in the glorious gardens.
How civilised to display such iconic works as "The Thinker" in a garden surrounded by well groomed bushes, beautiful roses and well cut lawns. This is how art like this should be displayed - with plenty of benches (and there were) to just sit and contemplate.
(There is an interesting observation to be made about contemplating a sculpture that is all about contemplation - but I am afraid it escapes me right now...)
Rodin was - it is evident from this lovely museum - a prolific creator. And his work is truly worthy of a museum to itself.
The masculine figures ooze strength, balanced musculature, beautiful proportions - with the whole history of sculpture contained within each... But yet they are not "heavy". They are not overdone - the physical strength of the male form is balanced with a sensibility and grace which lifts them from being just models of man to being somehow essence of man. Some playful, some full of gravitas.
While Rodin's treatment of the male form is classical and extrapolated, in some contrast his females are sensuous, graceful, so feminine and delicate it is hard to not imagine them with blood and flesh instead of bronze and marble (and terra cotta).
In particular the faces of his female sculptures have the delicacy of a woman's face, the softness, the beauty. They make me want to hold them gently in my hand.
This to me tells me that Rodin managed not just to sculpt forms that were somehow literal - but also he captured something "essential".
The gardens are just wonderful. Perfect for a gentle stroll with sculptures dotted around to arrest the gentle walker in his or her paces to consider for a moment, before moving on surrounded by flowers and manicured ornamental lawns and geometrically arranged water features.
A simple cafe provided lunch, rest and a couple of hours of quiet contemplation of the beautiful things in life - things which are to be nurtured, treasured, admired, respected and adored. As these works of art are taken care of and celebrated in this museum and garden - so should we take care of beauty - whether physical or metaphysical - in our lives.
All beauty should have a garden. Alive and full of life.
And now my walk continues...
How civilised to display such iconic works as "The Thinker" in a garden surrounded by well groomed bushes, beautiful roses and well cut lawns. This is how art like this should be displayed - with plenty of benches (and there were) to just sit and contemplate.
 |
| "The Thinker" - Auguste Rodin |
(There is an interesting observation to be made about contemplating a sculpture that is all about contemplation - but I am afraid it escapes me right now...)
Rodin was - it is evident from this lovely museum - a prolific creator. And his work is truly worthy of a museum to itself.
The masculine figures ooze strength, balanced musculature, beautiful proportions - with the whole history of sculpture contained within each... But yet they are not "heavy". They are not overdone - the physical strength of the male form is balanced with a sensibility and grace which lifts them from being just models of man to being somehow essence of man. Some playful, some full of gravitas.
While Rodin's treatment of the male form is classical and extrapolated, in some contrast his females are sensuous, graceful, so feminine and delicate it is hard to not imagine them with blood and flesh instead of bronze and marble (and terra cotta).
In particular the faces of his female sculptures have the delicacy of a woman's face, the softness, the beauty. They make me want to hold them gently in my hand.
This to me tells me that Rodin managed not just to sculpt forms that were somehow literal - but also he captured something "essential".
The gardens are just wonderful. Perfect for a gentle stroll with sculptures dotted around to arrest the gentle walker in his or her paces to consider for a moment, before moving on surrounded by flowers and manicured ornamental lawns and geometrically arranged water features.
 |
| Gardens of the Rodin Museum |
A simple cafe provided lunch, rest and a couple of hours of quiet contemplation of the beautiful things in life - things which are to be nurtured, treasured, admired, respected and adored. As these works of art are taken care of and celebrated in this museum and garden - so should we take care of beauty - whether physical or metaphysical - in our lives.
All beauty should have a garden. Alive and full of life.
And now my walk continues...
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