Jean d'Aire by Rodin

by Wolfe and Peter

Rodin has been appreciated as one of the best realist sculptors of the late nineteenth- and early twentieth-century. Rodin's goal, as he put it, was "to render inner feelings through muscular movement. " He achieved this aim by joining his knowledge of anatomy and movement. The energetic poses are strikingly vigorous and lifelike.Jean d'Aire was one of the burghers of Calais. The king of England wanted the keys to the city. He told the city that if they wanted to live freely, six men would have to be hung. Six curagous men from Calais chose to sacrifice themselves for their city. When they brought the keys of the city with them dressed in shackles and chains, at the last second, they were saved by the king's wife. She pleaded for their mercy. if not for the king's wife, the men from Calais would have been hung.