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The Burghers of CalaisThe Burghers of Calais © Scala/Art Resource, NY

The Burghers of Calais

Auguste Rodin. 1884–1895 C.E. Bronze.

Curator Note

"A revolutionary monument commemorating six citizens who offered their lives to save their city during the Hundred Years' War. Rodin rejected the traditional "hero on a pedestal" format. Instead, he placed the figures at ground level, ragged and terrified, capturing the complex psychological anguish of sacrifice rather than simplified glory."

Form

  • Bronze sculpture group.
  • Figures are arranged in a circle, facing different directions.
  • Realistic, expressive modeling of hands and faces.
  • Rough texture to catch the light.
  • Slightly larger than life-size but placed on a low base (originally).

Function

  • To commemorate the heroism of the citizens of Calais.
  • To humanize the heroes and make their sacrifice relatable.
  • To challenge the conventions of public monuments.
  • To express distinct psychological states (fear, resignation, stoicism).
  • To allow the viewer to walk among the figures.

Content

  • Eustache de Saint-Pierre (leader): bowed head, resigned.
  • Jean d'Aire: holds the keys, defiant/stoic.
  • Others show despair, covering faces, looking back.
  • Ropes around necks: symbols of captivity.
  • Ragged sackcloth: humiliation.
  • Large hands and feet: emphasize the weight of their burden.

Context

  • Commissioned by the city of Calais.
  • Based on the chronicle of Jean Froissart (1347).
  • City officials were unhappy; they wanted a heroic pyramid.
  • Rodin is the father of modern sculpture.
  • Breaks the barrier between art and life.