Mapplethorpe at the Rodin

t

We took a walk down the Paris side of the hill from our vacation rental apartment, near some of the iconic Montmartre sites such as this one, and the Church at Place Abbesses.  we were on our way to the Rodin Museum, which was hosting a show of Mapplethorpe photos interspersed with Rodin sculptures, something that sounded like a stretch to me, but I was wrong. 

It was a hot day, and by the time we got to the museum, it was well over 80.  The Mappelthorpe-Rodin exhibit was in a new side space that had been under construction the last time we were here.

 

I have not included any photos of the Mapplethorpe photos because they would not begin to do justice to his work.  The juxtaposition of the  photos showing bodies in various positions and with various treatments, from being draped to covered in plaster which crackled when dry, to the Rodin sculptures and studies was illuminating.  It made the Rodin pieces stand out rather than being in a jumble in the Rodin Museum proper, as usual.  And more than anything, it demonstrated how modern Rodin was. 

The gardens outside were lovely, and warm.  

 Nearby construction coated the Gates of Hell with dust, making it easier to see details in the blazing sun. 

 The last few times we have been here the main garden area was either under renovation, or covered with a huge tent for some sort of event.  This is the first time we can remember that the entire gardens have been open. 

 Who knew there were cardigans in Rodin's time! 

 With buttons sewn on! 

 After the garden tour, I went inside to see some of the usual favorites. 

 It almost hurt to see this wonderful van Gogh in one of the galleries, no guard in sight, exposed to natural light.  Yikes!

 And yes, this is a Rodin.  Much more the modernist than I had ever realized.