Rodin in White {Discover}

The clouds are rolling over our heads. The weather has betrayed us in the first days of spring. It feels so unfair. In an audacious attempt at finding peace of mind, spirits and inspiration under the leaden skies, we aim for the light and genius of a sculptor and his Parisian shrine: the Musée Rodin.

The idea stems from an exchange of emails with a talented photographer and blogger, Catherine Goron (you have met here here too). She had confirmed that the venue was a perfect fit with children and parents alike. And I trust her judgement. A ray of sunshine.

The museum building, the classy 18th century Hôtel Biron, is currently undergoing a vast renovation, so only a few masterpieces are actually visible. Slight disappointment surges. I wandered through the museum in the past, but explaining the statues, their expressions and postures to a young child is just like visiting a brand new museum, an entirely different world and story unfold. 

Imagine: is the man happy or sad? Why do you think he is suffering? What has gone wrong? Is this a child's portrait? A girl or a boy? How can you tell? What's her name?

The questions are endless and, more importantly, the answers are always unpredictable. What an adventure for us! What an eye opener on the endless possibilities offered by art! I wonder what the master, Auguste Rodin, would think when seeing 21st century kids reacting to the tortuous bodies of his men, the bearded portrait of Victor Hugo...

We are now brave enough to step into the garden: the green and flowery extension of the museum is home to several masterpieces that have found their place here: Les Bourgeois de Calais (The Burghers of Calais), Le Penseur (The Thinker) - can you spot him in the main picture above? He is so discreet, lost in his thoughts certainly - , La Porte de l'Enfer (The Gates of Hell). The time of the year - clouds aside - is perfect: the rose bushes are in full bloom and offer a colorful show of their own, while the water sources of the Jardin des Sources play their own tune.

Like the curves and figures of Rodin's statues, the roses are smooth and silky - and thorny. The perfect combination for the Gates of Hell... In the middle of the garden, several men are busy preparing a special event: under a vast white tent, magnolia trees, white tables and sparkling chandeliers await the bride and groom...or so we are told. The luxury of renting the Musée Rodin for one night! The luxury of seeing Rodin in White - decorated with white magnolias, surrounded by white marble, under a blanket of white clouds.