Jacques de Wissant at The Musée Rodin, Paris

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Jacques de Wissant stands alongside five fellow burghers of Calais, his brother Pierre de Wissant among them. Jacques de Wissant's hand moves back towards his face, betraying doubt and uncertainty. Rodin worked on the hands of certain Burghers of Calais separately to amplify their emotional impact. Using identical left and right hands for both brothers, Pierre and Jacques de Wissant, resulted in distinct effects. Pierre de Wissant's right hand rises upwards, a gesture of selflessness. On its own, the hand forms a powerful work of art, not just a fragment or study. When Rodin displayed it standing upright on a wooden base, he transformed it into an independent exhibit with significant value. This is also the hand that Rodin used in The Hand of God, placing tiny figures of Adam and Eve inside, who seem to emerge from the dust. This work became a symbol of all creation. George Bernard Shaw once said about Rodin's work: "The Hand of God is his own hand." This object is part of the Scan The World initiative. Scan The World is a non-profit project introduced by MyMiniFactory, creating a digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks, and landmarks from around the world for free public access. Scan The World is an open-source community effort; if you have interesting items nearby and want to contribute, email stw@myminifactory.com to learn how you can help.