In 1885, the town council of Calais commissioned the French sculptor Auguste Rodin to create a sculpture commemorating the bravery of their local heroes, the so-called Burghers of Calais. This publication includes a summary of the sculpture's history, general information about Rodin, connections with other artist's works, a detailed analysis of the sculpture's formal innovations, and a writing activity. These materials should prove useful for teachers of various disciplines. Studying and appreciating the complexities and nuances of Rodin's The Burghers of Calais will teach students about innovation, creativity, heroism, self expression, as well as about looking, thinking, and writing critically.

This resource was produced in conjunction with the special exhibition "Rodin's Monument to Victor Hugo." The exhibition was organized by the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Foundation. The exhibition in New York was made possible, in part, by The Georges Lurcy Charitable and Educational Trust.

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View Individual Pages and Chapters
   Cover and Publication Information (pp. 1–5, 1.6 M)
   Introduction and Suggestions (pp. 6–9, 472 K)
   Classroom Activity (p. 10, 92 K)
   The Story of the Burghers of Calais (pp. 11–15, 304 K)
   History of the Commission (pp. 16–17, 120 K)
   Rodin's Innovations (pp. 18–21, 233 K)
   Bridge to the Twentieth Century (pp. 22–26, 380 K)
   Casting Rodin's Sculpture (p. 27, 96 K)
   Chronology of the Artist's Life (pp. 28–29, 116 K)
   Bibliography (p. 30, 80 K)
   End Plates (pp. 31–32, 256 K)

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