A part of the full size figure of Pierre Wiessant, the last of the six burghers to leave Calais for the camp of Edward III, the "Right Hand" is the only upturned hand in the monument. Its openness is in contrast to the down turned, closed form of Pierre Wiessant's left hand. Is the gesture an appeal, or a measure of despair?

The hand is oversized for the proportions of the figure, a distortion in keeping with Rodin's accentuation of the most important features of his burghers, their hands and heads.