The Gates of Hell

La Porte de l'Enfer (English translation: The Gates of Hell) is a monumental sculptural group work by French artist Auguste Rodin. It stands at 21 feet high, 13 feet wide and 3 feet deep and contains 180 figures. The figures range from 6 inches high up to 4 feet.

Outstanding figures

The original sculptures were enlarged and became works of art of their own

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The Thinker (Le Penseur)

Also called The Poet, is located above the door panels. One interpretation suggests that it might represent Dante looking down to the characters in the Inferno. Another interpretation is that the Thinker is Rodin himself meditating about his composition.

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The Kiss (Le Baiser)

Originally in The Gate along with other figures of Paolo and Francesca da Rimini. Rodin wanted to represent their initial joy as well as their final damnation. He removed the figure that became know as The Kiss because it seemed to contrast along with the other suffering figures.

Related Topics:
Francesca da Rimini - The Kiss

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Ugolino and his Children (Ugolin et ses enfants)

Depicts Ugolino della Gherardesca, who according to the story, ate the corpses of his children after they died by starvation. (Dante, Inferno, Canto XXXII) The Ugolino group was cast as a separate bronze in 1882.

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The Three Shades (Les trois Ombres)

Originally 98 cm height. The over-life size group was initially made of three independent figures in 1899. Later on Rodin replaced one hand in the figures to fuse them together, in the same form as the smaller version.

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Fugitive Love (Fugit Amor )

Located on the right door pane, it is one of several figures of lovers that represent Paolo and Francesca da Rimini. The male figure is also called The Prodigial

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Paolo and Francesca

On the Left door pane, Paolo tries to reach Francesca, who seems to slip away.

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Meditation

On the right most part of the Tympanum, Shown as an enlarged figure in 1896.

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The Old Courtesan

Cast 1885

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I am beautiful (Je Suis Belle)

Cast 1882

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Eternal Springtime

Cast 1884

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Adam and Eve

Rodin aksed the directorate for additional funds for the independent sculptures of Adam and Eve that were meant to frame The Gates of Hell.

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