Dome

Detail, figure of Andrieu d'Andres; In the first maquette (1884), Rodin, rather conventionally, placed the group on a high plinth. The larger second maquette attested to the sculptor’s search for individualization: each figure expressed a different emotion, ranging from resignation to rebellion. The commissioning committee from Calais had approved the first maquette. In August 1885 Rodin offered a second model (one-third size) for review. Because Rodin constantly worked and reworked his pieces, the sculpture had taken on, by this point, a very different appearance. After the committee reviewed the second model the members reported: "This is not the way we envisaged our glorious citizens going to the camp of the King of England. Their defeated postures offended our religion..." The committee was particularly critical that the figures did not form a pyramidal structure common to 19th century monuments. However, the committee agreed to let Rodin finish the monument, and he exhibited the finished, full-size plaster in 1889. Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art [website]; http://www.metmuseum.org (accessed 7/11/2014)