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The Burghers of Calais
In 1884 the French city of Calais commissioned Auguste Rodin to create
a memorial honoring heroes of the Hundred Years' War. He depicted the
six burghers, or citizens, who in 1347 volunteered to leave the defeated
city barefoot, tied to a rope at the neck, and offer their own lives and the
keys to Calais to King Edward III of England.The burghers' fortitude,
determination, and devotion to their community preserved Calais from being
pillaged at the end of a devastating siege. The burghers are shown at the
moment of departure from the city.
For Rodin this episode was an opportunity to celebrate the idea that heroic
deeds may be performed by ordinary people. He did not follow tradition
by idealizing the figures, rather he was uncompromising in his depiction
of the emaciated hostages and represented them as distinct individuals.
Their faltering steps, despairing gestures, and anguished expressions
eloquently express the inner turmoil of each man struggling in his conscience
between fear of dying and devotion to their cause.
This installation of independent casts was suggested by the sculptor's
wish to have the figures set amidst the paving stones of Calais' town
square so that the citizens of today might learn from the example of
their heroic ancestors. |