VIDEO: The Rodin Museum - 6abc Loves the Arts

June 22, 2014 (WPVI) -- Given as a gift by Philadelphia native and film magnate Jules Mastbaum, the Rodin Museum has graced the Benjamin Franklin Parkway since the late 1920's and displays more than 140 bronze, marble and plaster sculptures.

Jennifer Thompson, Associate Curator of The Rodin Museum, says that unlike many of his contemporaries, Auguste Rodin was deeply interested in the fundamentals of human passion and emotion, details that can be witnessed in works, such as The Kiss and The Thinker.

"Rodin is an extremely diverse and very versatile artist. He had a very productive career, so we find many themes and ideas coming out of his work."

The museum's current installation focuses on The Gates of Hell. Considered by many as the centerpiece of Rodin's career, the monumental door is composed of 223 figures and took 37 years to complete.

"Many of his most famous works, such as The Kiss or The Thinker originally started out on the Gates of Hell and can still be seen there, but Rodin recognized that they were very powerful pieces and so he took them off the gates and they became known independently as they are today," says Thompson who adds that recent renovations to the surrounding grounds and front garden have really returned the museum to its original splendor.

"The spring and the summer the gardens are particularly attractive with all of the flowers blooming. It's a great place simply to have a picnic or to come and wander with friends."

The Rodin Museum offers daily tours and free sketch classes on the second Saturday of every month. For tickets and museum hours, go to www.TheArtsinPhilly.org.