The Three Shades

This sculptual group was designed as the crowning element on THE GATES OF HELL Rodin's unrealized project for massive doors for the Museum of Decorative Arts in Paris. The unifying themes for the doors was inspired by THE DIVINE COMEDY, one of the most influential writings of the early Italian Renaissance. The three figures are actual variations on a single pose.
Scholars claim that within the symbolic program for THE GATES OF HELL, The three shades were ment to represet shadow-like spirits of the dead.
In their undulating form and downcast gaze, they embody the pessimistic tensions and frustrattions of life at the end of the 19th century, the result of rapid industrialization and urbanization.
This trio is currently at The Palace of the Legion of Honor, San Francisco.
Reflected in a mirror is Rodin in front of THE GATES OF HELL.