Rodin's Most Tragic Monument to the Citizens of Calais, Bronze, 1884, Collection of the Rodin Museum
Close-up of the Tragic Faces from the Monument to the Citizens of Calais, Bronze, 1884, Collection of the Rodin Museum
Close-up of the Despairing Expression from the Monument to the Citizens of Calais, Bronze, 1884, Collection of the Rodin Museum

Text and photos by Chen Chi-Hsiang. The Burghers of Calais (bronze, 1884): This vivid statue of the Burghers of Calais was commissioned in 1884 by the city of Calais to commemorate the siege of Calais by English forces during the Hundred Years' War between England and France (under King Edward III). The English army besieged Calais in northern France for eleven months, demanding that six prominent citizens surrender the city keys while wearing ropes around their necks as a sign of unconditional surrender. Rodin chose the most tense moment—the instant when these six burghers were stepping toward the enemy—capturing each figure facing death with intense vitality. Rodin mastered the overall expression of grief and despair, evident in every heavy facial expression and helpless gesture. Several preparatory versions of The Burghers of Calais are located under the shade of trees on the left side of the back garden. The small plaster original model is displayed in the exhibition room on the second floor.