Jean d’Aire, first modeled ca. 1886, this cast 1972
Bronze
Auguste Rodin
French, 1840-1917
Unlike some of the other burghers who are slumped over in despair, Rodin has presented Jean d’Aire standing upright and looking boldly forward toward his horrible fate, holding one of the keys to the city of Calais in his hands.
Gift of B. Gerald Cantor, M.82.209.2
Visual Description: This is a bronze statue of a robed man holding a large key. The statue is seven feet tall and has a dark green cast. The man, Jean d’Aire, stands tall and upright, dressed in a loose, sackcloth robe and hair cut close to his head. His hands are in front of him, holding a large key to the city of Calais. He looks straight ahead, wearing a stoic, almost resigned expression
