Details

Object type

figure

Title

Jean d'Aire, Burgher of Calais

Artist/Maker

Auguste Rodin

Culture/School

French

Place Associated

France (place of manufacture)

Date

1895

Materials

bronze

Dimensions

overall: 467 mm x 163 mm x 154 mm 9619 g

Description

In 1884, the French city of Calais sought to commemorate the lives of six citizens, who in 1347 bravely sacrificed their lives by delivering the keys of the city to King Edward III of England. This action prevented their city from further siege, but resulted in their execution. The date 1884 marked the merging of Calais with nearby Saint Pierre, along with renovations to the city. Thus is seemed an opportune time to initiate a competition for sculptors to submit designs for a monument.

Inspired by a retelling of the story in Jean Froissart’s ‘Chronicles’ (1360-65), Rodin submitted the winning design in 1885. His idea consisted of sculpting all six burghers shortly before their execution. The artist imagined the six as individuals, each figure suffering their own inner torment as they faced imminent martyrdom. Rodin successfully represents their struggles through expressive poses, including one figure shielding his face, and another gesturing wildly with his hands. The viewer is encouraged to feel empathy with the men, imagining how they must have felt as they faced death, wondering who they left behind, and what kind of lives they led.

In order to achieve the desired effect, Rodin carefully modelled each figure just over life-sized, firstly nude, before draping them in fabric representing the loose garments worn for the men’s execution. Jean d’Aire’s body is tensed and fists clenched. He holds the crucial key in both hands, and stares outwards, his lips pursed. Rodin used the same model for Jean d’Aire as for two other figures, Jacques de Wissant who wears a full beard, and Andreis d’Andrei, the figure whose face is in his hands.

Rodin cast each figure separately, and exhibited them individually. Jean d’Aire was the first figure to be cast in bronze, around 1899. The artist also arranged for the sculptures to be reduced in size, as with this example. The sculpture of Jean d’Aire was reduced first in 1895. These smaller sizes proved popular- at least 21 were cast by the founder Alexis Rudier between 1903 and 1917, one of which was purchased by Sir William Burrell in 1920 from the Barbizon House Gallery, London. Sir William donated the sculpture in 1944 as part of his gift to the city of Glasgow.

Credit Line/Donor

Gifted by Sir William and Lady Burrell to the City of Glasgow, 1944

Collection

Burrell Collection: European Statuary Bronzes

ID Number

7.14

Location

Burrell Collection