Heroic Head of Pierre de Wissant, One of the Burghers of Calais

1886
(French, 1840–1917)
Overall: 83.5 x 47 x 55.3 cm (32 7/8 x 18 1/2 x 21 3/4 in.)
Weight: 123 lbs
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Location: not on view

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This sculpture depicts the head of a figure from Rodin's large public monument The Burghers of Calais (1884-89). The CMA also owns a plaster version of the head.

Description

This sculpture depicts one of the figures in Rodin’s large public monument The Burghers of Calais (1884–89), featuring six French men who volunteered to be taken prisoner by the English in exchange for lifting the siege of Calais during the Hundred Years War (1337–1453). Pierre de Wissant’s anguished expression suggests extreme mental suffering as he contemplates his expected execution. Rodin exhibited a life-size version of the figure as an independent work before completing the monument. He later made multiple versions in various sizes and media.
Heroic Head of Pierre de Wissant, One of the Burghers of Calais

Heroic Head of Pierre de Wissant, One of the Burghers of Calais

1886

Auguste Rodin

(French, 1840–1917)
France, 19th century

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