Discover The Burghers of Calais
The Burghers of Calais is a masterpiece of art that packs centuries of history and raw emotion into one unforgettable sculpture. Designed by Auguste Rodin, it’s a dramatic portrayal of courage under fire, telling the tale of six brave citizens from Calais who offered themselves up to save their city from a relentless siege by the English.
Commissioned in 1884 by the city of Calais and completed a few years later, this monument breaks away from the traditional heroic statuary. Instead of a single larger-than-life figure, Rodin presents a group where every man stands equal—each absorbed in his own silent battle as he marches toward his uncertain fate.
The History of The Burghers of Calais
A City Under Siege
Picture Calais in the mid-12th century: a French port facing the relentless might of King Edward III of England. After a grueling 11-month siege, the once-thriving town was on the brink of collapse, starved and desperate. With no other choice left, the city’s leaders made a decision that would send the ripples of its echo down through history.
The Ultimate Act of Bravery
In a bold bid to save their fellow citizens, six prominent men from Calais stepped forward, ready to sacrifice their lives for the greater good. According to the tales chronicled by mediaeval author Jean Froissart, these brave souls volunteered to become hostages—essentially offering themselves up to the enemy.
They were to walk out of the city almost naked, with nooses around their necks and the keys to Calais in hand. The plan was simple but it wasn’t without sorrow: their self-sacrifice was meant to secure a promise from the English king to spare the town from utter destruction.
Rodin’s Commission
Fast forward to January 1885, when Calais, still echoing with the legacy of that fateful day, commissioned Auguste Rodin to honour Eustache de Saint-Pierre: one of the six Burghers.
Already known for pushing artistic boundaries (consider his ambitious work on what would later be dubbed “The Gates of Hell”), Rodin wasn’t about to deliver a run-of-the-mill statue. Instead of focusing solely on Eustache de Saint-Pierre as the lone hero, he boldly proposed a tribute to all six burghers who had stepped up during Calais’ darkest hour.
“Six Sculptures for the Price of One”
Rodin’s first sketch painted a picture of six figures linked by a rope—Saint-Pierre confidently leading the pack. But as any true creative knows, the magic was in the revision. Rodin reimagined the scene, shifting from a connected procession to a portrayal of six distinct individuals, each lost in his own inner turmoil and resolve.
His idea? To capture that raw, emotional moment right before their fateful march, revealing not just bravery but also the palpable fear and uncertainty each man felt. He even famously pitched the idea as “six sculptures for the price of one”.
City Council vs. Rodin
Not everyone was immediately on board with Rodin’s radical vision. When he presented his revised model—featuring six freestanding figures without the unifying rope—the Calais council wasn’t exactly cheering. They had envisioned a more traditional homage, with a single heroic figure at the forefront.
Rodin, however, was determined to stick with his innovative take, much to the chagrin of those with more conventional tastes. The final design was unveiled in Calais in 1895.
The Six Figures of The Burghers of Calais
Each of the six burghers in Rodin’s statue has his own personality:
- Eustache de Saint-Pierre: The first to volunteer, Saint-Pierre is given a central position with a distinct, bushy beard, a hunched, weary stance, and gaunt features that speak of hardship and wisdom.
- Jean d’Aire: Standing tall and resolute, Jean d’Aire clutches the symbolic keys to Calais. His determined expression and straight posture convey an unwavering sense of duty, even in the face of impending doom.
- Jacques de Wissant: With right arm raised as if in a questioning gesture, Jacques bursts with energy. His stretched leg and bold posture hint at both vulnerability and a deep inner resolve.
- Pierre de Wissant: Unlike his brother Jacques, Pierre stands slightly apart, his body language exuding a sense of isolation and inner torment. His raised hand and bent form capture the silent agony of a man conflicted by duty and despair.
- Andrieu d’Andres: Often remembered as the “weeping burgher,” Andrieu’s head is bowed, his hands almost hiding his emotions. His posture, with a slightly bent knee and raised foot, suggests he is overwhelmed by despair.
- Jean de Fiennes: The youngest, Jean de Fiennes, is a stark contrast with arms outstretched in an almost bewildered gesture, capturing the raw shock and uncertainty of youth thrown into crisis.
Rodin’s Method: Creating The Burghers of Calais
The Creative Process
Rodin’s method was meticulous. He began by sculpting the figures as nude forms, to perfect their anatomy. Then, using a unique “dressing” technique, he dipped wet plaster tunics over them—giving the figures their iconic, ragged attire. The heavy, almost lead-like fabric cascades from their shoulders, grounding the men and contrasting sharply with the exposed muscles beneath.
Exaggerated Details
One of Rodin’s signature moves was to amplify certain features to enhance the emotional impact. Notice those oversized hands and feet? They’re not just for show—they’re deliberate artistic choices that add to the figures’ presence. For example, the same right hand is cleverly reused in two different contexts: one version appears in a questioning, almost pleading gesture, while another conveys despair.
Reinterpreting Heroism
Instead of celebrating an idealized, muscular hero, (like the City of Calais would have preferred) Rodin chose to depict these burghers as real men—flawed, emotional, and deeply human. Their emaciated bodies, sagging shoulders, and exposed chests reveal a truth: real heroism is messy and fraught with pain. In doing so, Rodin redefined what it means to be a hero.
Gaps and Separation in the Statue
Although the six figures stand together, there’s a deliberate space between them, emphasizing that as they meet their maker, each man is lost in his own inner world. Some look down, others gaze into the distance, and none interact directly with one another. But these gaps aren’t empty, they’re filled with emotion and meant to convey a degree of isolation despite the fact that each man was bound to the same fate.
A Street Level Monument
One of Rodin’s boldest choices for the statue in Calais was to place the figures nearly at street level. No traditionally high pedestals here! By lowering the figures to our level, he invited viewers to come face-to-face with the raw emotion of the scene. This down-to-earth presentation not only made the monument more accessible but also reinforced the idea that heroism belongs to everyone—ordinary people with extraordinary courage.
Visiting The Burghers of Calais in London
Although the original masterpiece stands proudly outside Calais' town hall, there is a London counterpart tucked away inside Victoria Tower Gardens, right under the looming shadow of the Houses of Parliament. This sculpture is one of only 12 officially cast under French law. It was produced in 1908 and later gifted to the nation in 1914 by the National Art Collections Fund.
Notice that The Burghers of Calais statue in London is placed on a plinth instead of at street level... we wonder what Rodin would have thought about this!
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