The Burghers of Calais

Artist

Auguste Rodin

Date

1889

Scale

201 × 205 × 195 cm

Location

Calais, France

Materials/techniques

Bronze

Patron

French city of Calais

Genre

Commemorative sculpture

Stylistic influences

Michelangelo

Who are the 6 men represented?

Jean de fiennes, Pierre de Wissant, Jacques de wissant, Eustache de st Pierre, Jean d’aire, Andrieu d’andres

What does it pay tribute to?

The burghers of Calais, heroes of the hundred years’ war and symbols of French patriotism - the 6 offered themselves as hostages to stop the seige and grant freedom for the citizens, lives were spared due to Kings wife saying it would be a bad omen on their unborn son.

1347 - King Edward III laid seige in Callais.

Why did Rodin include all 6 Burghers?

To commemorate all of their acheivements as oppossed to just the famously recognised leader Eustache de Saint Pierre.

What does Rodin visually capture?

the moment the men were about to leave the city to go to their deaths, raw emotion and visceral tone is emphasised with dynamic form/facial expressions within the figures.

the threat of death as oppossed to victory, no man is the focal point, their fates were all equal.

What does Mary Acton state about the piece?

‘The connection the spectator has with the tragic nature of the group is involving and personal.’

What does Roberta Smith say about it?

‘It is Rodin’s most psychologically complex work, a deeply moving representation of courage, sacrifice and the suffering of humanity.’