history/art question

[DR STRANGELOVE]

A few years ago, I read in an art book about a controversial statue that had been built, it depicted an actual historical event that took place in the town it was erected in. The statue was of 5 or so townspeople contemplating their own death (as I remember the story - an army was passing through the town and offered to spare the town if 5 or so townspeople volunteered their lives in place of the whole town). I remember the statue was controversial because it depicted the people as "ordinary" people with enlarged hands and feet and the structure was a t ground level...the public on the other hand wanted the statue to depict the people more as "heroes"....

I'm looking for the name of the statue and/or the name of the town it is in...

thanks

 

[KMA]

Would this be it???

Auguste Rodin's 'The Burghers of Calais' which was built in 1895 to honour six very patriotic Calaisiens who in 1347 offered their lives and the keys to the city to save the town and it's people from Edward 111. He captured Calais and planned to kill everyone . After his wife had a word in his ear however, he spared the lives of all- including the six willing to sacrifice their lives. You can find this remarkable statue in front of Hotel de Ville, which has an awesome 75m clock tower on top of it.






http://www.bc.edu/bc_org/avp/cas/fnart/rodin/burghers2.jpg

 

[DR STRANGELOVE]

KMA

thank you very much, greatly appreciated.

Do you mind if I get your email off Jack?

Thanks

 

[KMA]

No prob!!!