Logan Square in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

The Gates of Hell

Photographed By Larry Gertner, September 2014

1. The Gates of Hell Marker

Inscription.
Modeled in clay 1880-1917; cast in bronze 1926-28

In 1880 Rodin was commissioned to create a set of bronze door for a new museum in Paris. Inspired by The Divine Comedy, written by Dante Alghieri (Italian, c. 1265-1321), Rodin planned to decorate the doors with characters that Dante met on his fictional journey through hell. The sculptor eventually discarded the idea of a strict narrative and instead created a weightless, chaotic world filled with more than 200 figures in the throes of pain and despair. Although the planned museum never came to fruition, Rodin worked on the sculpture for nearly thirty-five years, periodically adding, removing, or modifying elements on it.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Arts, Letters, Music. A significant historical year for this entry is 1880.

Location. 39° 57.711′ N, 75° 10.43′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It is in Logan Square. Marker can be reached from Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2151 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, Philadelphia PA 19130, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Burghers of Calais (a few steps from this marker); The Three Shades (within shouting distance of this marker); Architectural Fragment (within shouting distance

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of this marker); Rodin Museum (within shouting distance of this marker); The Thinker (within shouting distance of this marker); Green Spaces, Fresh Air (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Rodin Museum (about 300 feet away); A Home for Art (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Philadelphia.

Also see . . . The Gates of Hell (1880-1917) by Auguste Rodin (1840 - 1917). "Association for Public Arts" entry. (Submitted on April 16, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

The Gates of Hell at the museum entrance image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Larry Gertner, September 2014

2. The Gates of Hell at the museum entrance

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 5, 2017, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 246 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 5, 2017, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.