Activity: Perspective
How does Rodin capture the
inner emotions in the outward
expression of this face? How does
the hand contribute to the reading
of the man’s inner state?
SchoolArts October 2006
Activity
Why did this man make the
decision to sacrifice himself? How
does his expression reveal his inner
thoughts? Could he have resolved the
crisis in another way?
GalleryCard Technology
Auguste Rodin (French, 1840–1917), detail of
Pierre de Wiessant from The Burghers of Calais, modeled 1884–95; this cast 1895; bronze;
82½" (209.6 cm). The Metropolitan Museum of
Art, New York. Gift of Iris and B. Gerald Cantor,
1989 (1989.407)
“I have . . . threaded them one behind
the other, because in the indecision of
the last inner combat, which ensures,
between their devotion to their cause
and fear of dying, each of them is isolated in front of his conscience. They’re
still questioning themselves to know if
they have the strength to accomplish the
supreme sacrifice. . . .”
—Auguste Rodin
GalleryCard Technology
John Jolliffe, ed. and trans., Froissart’s Chronicles (London: Harvill Press, 1967), p. 155,
quoted in John L. Tancock, The Sculpture of
“Gentlemen, it would be a great shame R. Godine in association with the Philadel-
to allow so many people to starve to phia Museum of Art, 1976), p. 182.
death, if there were any way of preventing it. And it would be highly pleasing
to Our Lord if anyone could save them
from such a fate. I have such faith and
trust in gaining pardon and grace from
Our Lord if I die in the attempt, that I
will put myself forward as the first. I
will willingly go out in my shirt, bare-
“. . . the richest burgher in the town, Sir Auguste Rodin: The Collection of the Rodin
Eustache de Saint-Pierre, got up and said: Museum Philadelphia (Philadelphia: David
Auguste Rodin (French, 1840–1917), detail of headed and barefoot, with halter [noose]
Eustache de Saint-Pierre from The Burghers of around my neck and put myself at the
Calais, modeled 1884–95; this cast 1895; bronze; mercy of the King of England.”
82½" (209.6 cm). The Metropolitan Museum of
Art, New York. Gift of Iris and B. Gerald Cantor,
1989 (1989.407)
SchoolArts October 2006
Activity
Rodin created a distinctive character
for Jean d’Aire, who holds the
key to the city, here a symbol of
surrender. Describe his expression
and stance. What does his attitude
express to us?
SchoolArts October 2006
Joan Vita Miller and Gary Marrotta, Rodin:
The B. Gerald Cantor Collection (New York:
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1986),
p. 69.
people should praise me for knowing
how to show the truth of history.”
—August Rodin
The city of Calais was under siege
for many months, and the citizens
were slowly being starved. Do you
think Rodin showed this in this
figure’s face? If so, how?
Activity
GalleryCard Technology
Auguste Rodin (French, 1840–1917), detail of
Jean d’Aire from The Burghers of Calais,
modeled 1884–95; this cast 1895; bronze; 82½"
(209.6 cm). The Metropolitan Museum of Art,
New York. Gift of Iris and B. Gerald Cantor, 1989
(1989.407)
—Auguste Rodin
“I have not shown them grouped in a
triumphant apotheosis; such glorification of their heroism would not have
corresponded to anything real.”
Joan Vita Miller and Gary Marrotta,
Rodin: The B. Gerald Cantor Collection
(New York: The Metropolitan Museum
of Art, 1986), p. 69.
GalleryCard Technology
Auguste Rodin (French, 1840–1917), detail of
Jean de Fiennes from The Burghers of Calais,
modeled 1884–95; this cast 1895; bronze; 82½"
(209.6 cm). The Metropolitan Museum of Art,
New York. Gift of Iris and B. Gerald Cantor, 1989
(1989.407)
“I did not hesitate to make them as thin
and as weak as possible. If, in order to
respect some academic convention or
other, I had tried to show bodies that
were still agreeable to look at, I would
have betrayed my subject. These people,
having passed through the privations of
a long siege, no longer have anything but
skin on their bones. The more frightful
my representation of them, the more
