The Burghers of Calais

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 by 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.