©Charles Delcourt The work of Auguste Rodin with Sophie Henwood
Calais is honoring one of its iconic artists with a brand-new museum presentation. Sophie Henwood, head of the collections department and curator of the exhibition "Rodin, Sculptor of The Burghers of Calais," tells us more!
What does this new exhibition dedicated to Auguste Rodin offer?
Le Calais Museum of Fine Arts offers a new permanent presentation of the works by Auguste Rodin, completely redesigned in a scenographic journey that is aimed at all audiences, whether they are art lovers or simply curious. This journey, installed in the Galerie Rodin, highlights both the sculptor's creative genius, his deep connection to the city of Calais and the lasting impact of his work on the history of art. It explores the key stages of his career, from his early research to his major public monuments, including his artistic legacy. It's an invitation to rediscover Rodin in a different way, beyond the Monument to the Burghers of Calais.
Why did you choose to offer a new tour around Rodin?
Since 2023, we have undertaken extensive work to renew our permanent exhibition rooms, notably with the new “Fine Arts” collection route.
It seemed natural to us to continue this momentum with Rodin, an emblematic figure of our museum and the city. Until now, we only presented his work around the Monument to the Burghers of Calais. This new tour, in the Galerie Rodin, broadens the perspective by retracing the major stages of his career, from his beginnings to his influence on 20th-century artists.
We have also rethought the way we present the works to make the visit more fluid, more pleasant, and more accessible to all.
©Charles Delcourt We wanted to make the experience immersive, sensory, and participatory. Everything was designed to facilitate understanding, without text overload, thanks to diagrams, sketches, and voiceovers.
How did you imagine the visitor experience for the public?
We wanted to make the experience immersive, sensory and participatory.
The visitor becomes an actor in his discovery: he can listen to extracts from the correspondence between Rodin and the mayor of Calais, manipulate an interactive planisphere which lists Rodin's monuments around the world, and explore the materials used (terracotta, bronze, plaster, etc.).
Everything has been designed to facilitate understanding, without text overload, thanks to diagrams, sketches and voiceovers.
©Charles Delcourt What works are absolutely essential to see?
Rather than isolated works, it is the collections that create the richness of the journey. Three works Do not miss :
- Adele's Torso and its many variations which show the research around the form.
- The two preparatory models of the Monument to the Burghers of Calais, displayed side by side: a unique opportunity to understand the evolution of the project.
- the monumental sculpture of Brabo by Jef Lambeaux, recently restored and exhibited for the first time, which is a fine example of a public monument from the end of the 19th century.
©Charles Delcourt 
©Charles Delcourt Did Rodin have a special connection with the city of Calais?
It is a link that is at once historical, artistic and human. Rodin is the author of the Monument to the Burghers of Calais, installed in front of the Town Hall, which commemorates a heroic episode in the town's history, when, during the Hundred Years' War, six burghers offered themselves as a sacrifice to the King of England so that he would spare the inhabitants of Calais. He came to Calais several times and maintained a correspondence of more than 10 years with Omer Dewavrin, then mayor of the town. Today, 159 letters exchanged between Calais and the Rodin Museum in Paris are preserved. This relationship continues today: The Rodin Museum is the artist's legal representative and has entrusted us with 21 exceptional sculptures, now permanently exhibited in Calais in the Galerie Rodin.
©Nohcab 
What if you had to count 5 reasons to come and visit the new Rodin gallery?
- Calais has a major work by an international sculpture star
- The museum presents the largest loan of sculptures from the Rodin Museum in Paris to France
- The scenography is soothing and contemporary
- The content is offered in a variety of accessible and multilingual formats (French, English, German, Dutch)
- And this exhibition (free!) is an ideal gateway into the history of Calais!