Auguste Rodin,The Burghers of Calais, bronze
The six figures of Rodin's theatrical composition represents the leading citizens of Calais who in 1347 offered themselves as hostages to the King of England to end the siege of their city.Closely arranged they sometimes touch,and yet the burghers seem isolated from each other by their unique,often energetic poses and gestures.Already modeled larger than life,Rodin heightened the figures monumentally by enlarging their hands head and feet.Rodin ultimate desire for the original monument was to install it close to ground level as it is displayed in this gallery,where the bronze bodies are able to best communicate to us their tension and pathos.
Auguste Rodin,The Burghers of Calais, bronze
The six figures of Rodin's theatrical composition represents the leading citizens of Calais who in 1347 offered themselves as hostages to the King of England to end the siege of their city.Closely arranged they sometimes touch,and yet the burghers seem isolated from each other by their unique,often energetic poses and gestures.Already modeled larger than life,Rodin heightened the figures monumentally by enlarging their hands head and feet.Rodin ultimate desire for the original monument was to install it close to ground level as it is displayed in this gallery,where the bronze bodies are able to best communicate to us their tension and pathos.