Nude study for Jean D'Aire

Jean D'Aire is a study for one of the figures in Auguste Rodin's monumental Burghers of Calais. The sculptural group was made in order to commemorate the surrender by six of the leading citizens fo Calais after a siege by Edward III. The men, dressed in sackcloth and with their feet bare, gave the king the key of the city. Edward III decided to spare the city and the men who were brave enough to surrender, the city was spared too. Rpdin here depicts that moment, with desperation in the man's eyes who is ready to be executed. This is the moment before him having his life spared by the king. The final piece took years of experimentation and study and this is a pat of this long work.