RODIN & COCK-A-TAILS

It was finally one of those weekends where the weather was semi warm, but sunny. The impending forecast of rain and possible snow showers never transpired. After a half work week, it was time for me to brush off some of these cob webs and return out of hibernation. It seems to be starting late this year. A MM#1 FAN  and I decided to go visit the Rodin Museum in Philadelphia. I had been before but it's been several years. My first time was here. To the museum that is!!!!

A sculptor like Rodin made the original mold in his studio, and then creates or licenses a certain number of copies, or “casts”, that can be made with it. The Philadelphia museum opened in 1929, and many of the sculptures were cast around that date.But Auguste Rodin died in 1917. So most of the works we saw were actually made by others, using the molds Rodin created.

It’s strange, thinking that the actual art in front of you was not created by the man whose name is on it. It’s also strange knowing it’s not the only copy.“The Thinker”, for instance, comes in several sizes. The largest of these has 28 copies scattered around the world. And there are more of the smaller version.When you go to see the Mona Lisa at the Louvre, you are seeing the one and only copy of DaVinci’s masterpiece. It’s a singular experience, by nature. The coolest piece we saw of course was The Gates of Hell.

For nearly four decades prior to his death, Rodin worked on this highly detailed sculpture inspired by Dante's Inferno. Originally commissioned for a planned museum in Paris, The Gates inspired some of Rodin's most notable creations, including The Thinker. The massive bronze cast, located at the entrance to the Rodin Museum, is one of two commissioned by Philadelphia theater entrepreneur Jules Mastbaum.

This mold of Rodin’s hand was taken just a few days before he died by one of his students. The student added the miniature sculpture that Rodin’s hand is holding as a tribute.

If you get to Philadelphia it's still a worth while see, and very relaxing. Still, seeing so many of Rodin’s casts in one place is an amazing thing – it’s the second largest collection of his work, outside of Paris.

Afterwards, like a surprise,  your Mistress was parched and it was off to have some cock-a-tails and nibbles. Philadelphia is a great drinking city.  Take it from me!!!!Of course, any city is a great drinking city when I am there,  but I love it when a place makes it easy for me. We stopped in down on South Street at The Cambridge, a  cozy neighborhood tavern on South Street West with a full bar, a varied menu,  and a courtyard out back.

. The drinks I had there were all spot on, and like other pubs and lounges,  I love that our bar community and bar tends have enthusiasm for local spirits. I started with a gin and tonic , several, then switched to  a cocktail made with absinthe and appear juice, shaken with ice.

It was a great day to get out and enjoy the air and some art. I have always enjoyed being in museums. I could probably live in one. Provided I was well hung, of course.