Iris & B. Gerald Cantor Center for Visual Arts

by Eric Rumble
August 14th, 2009

Photo by Marvin Wax, Palo Alto

An impressive collection of art works by Rodin and others

ORIGINALLY CONJURED AS a venue for the Stanford family to share their impressive collection of art and artifacts from their world travels, the Iris & B. Gerald Cantor Center for Visual Arts now holds more than 27,000 pieces. But even if you’re on a tight schedule, it’s worth making your way to the restored 1893 building for its marquee collection of more than 150 Rodin sculptures (mostly bronzes, but also some wax, plaster and terra cotta), the largest outside of the Parisian museum dedicated to his work.

Three full rooms inside the museum are dedicated to examining Rodin’s process and the development of a few key themes and ideas that are prevalent throughout his career as an artist. The grounds outside the building are largely occupied by a renowned sculpture garden, featuring The Gates of Hell, which Rodin worked on for two decades.

Admission to the gallery is free.