A Burgher of Calais (Jean d'Aire)

Museum record 719: A Burgher of Calais (Jean d'Aire) by Auguste Rodin. A verified entry point for discovery.

What to notice

For A Burgher of Calais (Jean d'Aire) (record 719), start with modern, expressive, atmospheric. Compare the focal subject, edge treatment, and atmosphere before moving on.

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This statue is a part of the famous sculptural group The Burghers of Calais , made by Auguste Rodin to commemorate a tragic episode from the 14th century, during the Hundred Years’ War between France and England. Rodin depicted the moment when six courageous men offered them-selves as hostages to Edward III, the king of England, in exchange for the liberation of the city of Calais from a siege that had been starving inhabitants for nearly a year. This plaster statue (painted to simulate bronze) was exhib…