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Since 1949 the bronze sculpture “The Gates of Hell” by Auguste Rodin adorns the facade of the Zurich Kunsthaus. The eight ton heavy and almost seven meter high Gate, which the French sculptor created between 1880 and 1917, is one of eight existing casts and features 186 figures from Dante’s Inferno.
“The Gates of Hell” was restored from March to the end of July 2006.
This project is supported by
the BNP Paribas Foundation and the Steiner Group.
Auguste Rodin
Occasion for the Restoration
Restoration Concept
Stage 1
The placement of the support construction
The mounting of the support construction
Securing the support construction to the Gate
Drilling of the base
Cutting of the base and lifting
Movement of the structure by means of chain hoists
View of the back of the monument
Stage 2
Cleaning and conservation of the front of the Gate
Initial tests
Methodologies for the exposure of the metal
Stabilization with Incralac®
Touch-ups
Protective layer
The «Battista» Example
Stage 3
Measures undertaken on the back side
The support structure
The substitution of the lower support structure and frame
Transportation
The building of the transportation frame
Moving The Gates of Hell on to a low bed trailer
