The Burghers of Calais (1884-95)

Auguste Rodin

DESCRIPTION:  cast 10 of 12 in 1968, 83-inch by 94-inch by 71-inch cast bronze sculpture

The Burghers of Calais (original French title:  Les Bourgeois de Calais) was commissioned by Calais in 1884 and completed by Rodin in 1889.  It is one of Rodin's largest and most famous.  It serves as a monument to an occurrence in 1347 during the Hundred Years' War when Calais, an important French port on the English Channel, was under siege by the English for over a year and the civic leaders, "burghers," were forced to surrender their lives to save the city from complete destruction.  
This monumental sculpture is part of the Norton Simon Museum Collection and is prominently installed at the Museum's main entrance in company with several other Rodin sculptures.

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