Jean d'Aire, 1884 (bronze)

In 1884 Rodin won a competition for a monument for Calais (a city on the northeastern coast of France) that would commemorate an event that took place in 1347, during the Hundred Years’ War. To end a devastating siege of their city, six townspeople offered themselves to the English as hostages. One of the over life-size figures incorporated into Rodin’s composition, known as the Burghers of Calais, was the figure of Jean d’Aire, of which this is a reduced cast.  signed front of base: "A. Rodin." Inscribed back of base: "Alexis Rudier/Fondeur, Paris."