Hand of a Burgher of Calais, 1884-1886 Auguste Rodin, French, 1840-1917 Bronze with green patina Museum purchase with funds provides by The Committee for the Blind, Dayton Art Institute #1971.263

"Perhaps the most widely acclaimed European sculptor of the 19th century, Rodin's style was so revolutionary and so life-like that he was frequently, albeit unjustly, accused of casting directly from live models. This over life-sized study of a hand is one of dozens he made in preparation for a monumental commission for the city of Calais, France. The finished work memorializes six leading citizens of Burghers who surrendered themselves to English invaders in order to spare their city further assault during the Hundred Years' War (1337-1453)." (From info card) He also did a head study for his sculpture of Balzac.

Photos ©Joan Ann Lansberry 2019