Heroes

Fall 2023 – DIS Studio

Completed between 1884-1889, the Burghers of Calais were designed to commemorate a moment from the Hundred Years War, when six city leaders surrendered themselves to save the population from a siege. Rather than depicting the figures as heroes going boldly to their fate, he instead conveys a haunting realism in their poses and figuration.

The structure creates a journey the viewer can follow with the figures: from light to dark, and back to light. As the walls reach higher in the center, direct light fails to reach the statues, emphasizing their figurative torment and the unknown. The taller wall is positioned to the south, allowing light to bounce from one side down into the space below.

Rather than positioned all on the same base, the figures are separated and placed in a line, allowing people to walk between and appreciate the uniqueness of each individual sculpture. The procession shows various stages of torment, anguish, and acceptance.