"The Boxer of Calais"

The hand that I sculpted for fun in my earlier post grew into a full figure that is essenstially inspired by (but not a copy of) my favorite Rodin sculpture "Jean D'Aire" from the "Burghers of Calais" sculpture of the six men from the town of the same name walking to their certain deaths. This is why the general pose and naming of the character is similar (although I changed it because the positioning of the original is so unnatural looking.

The person or character is taken from an image that sprung up in my mind of this very rugged, thick boned, older man who has spent his life fighting with everything and everyone and his face and hands now are broken and healed again into this grizzled character. Here is exploiting his natural strengths and boxing so that he can channel his aggression and strength into something slightly more productive and safe.