Rodin Museum The Burghers of Calais Signed top of base between feet of Jean de Fiennes and Jacques de Wiessant: A. Rodin Foundry mark rear of base to right: ALEXIS. RUDIER. / FONDEUR. PARIS. Made in France, EuropeModeled 1884-95; cast 1919-21 Auguste Rodin, French, 1840 - 1917. Cast by the founder Alexis Rudier, Paris, 1874 - 1952. Bronze * Rodin Museum, Parkway F1929-7-129 Bequest of Jules E. Mastbaum, 1929 |
LabelIn 1346 the English king Edward III laid siege to the French port of Calais. Eleven months later, Edward demanded the surrender of six of the town’s leading men, or burghers, in return for sparing its citizens. Rodin’s sculpture commemorates this episode and emphasizes the internal struggle of each man as he walks toward his fate wearing a sackcloth and rope halter. The burghers were later spared thanks to the intervention of the English queen, who feared that their deaths would bring bad luck to her unborn child.* Works in the collection are moved off view for many different reasons. Although gallery locations on the website are updated regularly, there is no guarantee that this object will be on display on the day of your visit. |
