Labour of love: the restored Rodin Museum Paris reopens

It is appropriate that the image of Rodin's The Kiss was chosen as the visual emblem of the completed restoration of the Rodin Museum, Paris. This has been a passionate labour of love for the Rodin Committee, patron Iris Cantor and the French state. The Rodin Museum is beloved by local and international visitors for its location, magnificent 18th century architecture, the accessibility of Rodin's works and its garden, presided over by The Thinker.

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The Rodin Museum, Paris, reopens on 12 November after an extensive period of restoration. Pictured: Le Penseur, 1902, and l’Hôtel Biron. Photography: Jérôme Manoukian. Courtesy Agence Photographique du Musée Rodin

It is appropriate that the image of Rodin's The Kiss was chosen as the visual emblem of the completed restoration of the Rodin Museum, Paris. The project has been a passionate labour of love for the Rodin Committee, patron Iris Cantor and the French state. The Rodin Museum is beloved by local and international visitors for its location, magnificent 18th century architecture, the accessibility of Rodin's works and its garden, presided over by Le Penseur ('The Thinker').

The renovation's first priority was structural – the listed building's parquet floors were not built to withstand either the weight of several tons of sculpture or the footfall of 700,000 visitors per year.

The second was to optimise the space. Widening the doorways and requisitioning two offices affords a fresh new perspective on Rodin's oeuvre via a fluid, chronological display. Two hundred additional works are exhibited, many for the first time, making the museum's the largest Rodin collection in the world.

Farrow & Ball developed the perfect shade of paint – an elegant greige entitled 'Biron Gray' – to complement marble, bronze, stone and terracotta equally. Lighting with ceiling sensors automatically adjusts the intensity of the natural daylight, artwork by artwork.

Says Iris Cantor, patron of the Iris and B Gerald Cantor Foundation, and sponsor of the restoration, 'We’ve accomplished what Bernie [the foundation's titular 'B'] would have wanted. That’s what the keeper of the legacy's mission does. To stand in the main hall and see our names with The Kiss right behind them, I’m overwhelmed. It’s very fulfilling, very emotional. I feel like Rodin and Bernie are looking down at us, saying "Good job!"'

The project has been a passionate labour of love for the Rodin Committee

The project has been a passionate labour of love for the Rodin Committee, patron Iris Cantor and the French state. Pictured: Le Penseur, 1902. Courtesy Musée Rodin

(Image credit: Jean de Calan)

The Rodin Museum is beloved by local and international visitors for its location and magnificent 18th century architecture.

The Rodin Museum is beloved by local and international visitors for its location and magnificent 18th century architecture. Pictured: Hall Cantor, Hôtel Biron. Courtesy Agence Photographique Musée Rodin

(Image credit: Pauline Hisbacq)

The museum's garden is presided over by Le Penseur (The Thinker).

The museum's garden is presided over by Le Penseur (The Thinker). Pictured: Le Penseur, 1902. Courtesy Musée Rodin

(Image credit: Jean de Calan)

Shots of the building pre-restoration.

Shots of the building pre-restoration.

(Image credit: Musée Rodin)

The renovation's first priority was structural

The renovation's first priority was structural – the listed building's parquet floors were not built to withstand either the weight of several tons of sculpture or the footfall of 700,000 visitors per year. Pictured: The Walking Man, 1877–78. Courtesy Agence Photographique Musée Rodin

(Image credit: Jérôme Manoukian)

The second was to optimise the space.

The second was to optimise the space. Pictured: The Walking Man, 1877–78. Courtesy Tendance Floue

(Image credit: Patrick Tournebœuf)

Widening the doorways and requisitioning two offices affords a fresh new perspective on Rodin's oeuvre via a fluid, chronological display.

Widening the doorways and requisitioning two offices affords a fresh new perspective on Rodin's oeuvre via a fluid, chronological display. Courtesy Agence Photographique du Musée Rodin

(Image credit: Jérôme Manoukian)

Farrow & Ball developed the perfect shade of paint

Farrow & Ball developed the perfect shade of paint – an elegant greige, entitled 'Biron Gray' – to complement marble, bronze, stone and terracotta equally. Pictured middle: Cathedral, 1908. Courtesy Agence Photographique du Musée Rodin

(Image credit: Jérôme Manoukian)

Lighting with ceiling sensors automatically adjusts the intensity of the natural daylight, artwork by artwork.

Lighting with ceiling sensors automatically adjusts the intensity of the natural daylight, artwork by artwork. Courtesy Agence Photographique du Musée Rodin

(Image credit: Jerome Manoukian)

Says Iris Cantor, patron of the Iris and B Gerald Cantor Foundation, and sponsor of the restoration

Says Iris Cantor, patron of the Iris and B Gerald Cantor Foundation, and sponsor of the restoration, 'We’ve accomplished what Bernie [the foundation's titular 'B'] would have wanted. That’s what the keeper of the legacy's mission does.' Pictured: l’Hôtel Biron. Courtesy Musée Rodin

(Image credit: Alexis Berg)

INFORMATION

The Rodin Museum Paris reopens on 12 November. For more information, visit the Museum’s website

ADDRESS

Musée Rodin
21, Boulevard des Invalides
75007 Paris

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