by Jules Bastien Lepage
oil on canvas, 254 x 279.4 cm
Metropolitan Museum of Art, USA
About the artwork:
The painting portrays Joan of Arc in a naturalistic setting, typical of Bastien-Lepage's style, which often features figures set against the rural landscapes of his native Lorraine. Joan is depicted as a peasant girl, which reflects historical accounts of her life before leading the French army. She is shown in a moment of divine inspiration, possibly hearing the voices that historians note she claimed guided her actions.
The size of the painting emphasizes the dramatic intensity of the moment. Joan is depicted with a distant, thoughtful gaze, conveying the weight of her visions. The landscape around her is rendered in meticulous detail, from the foliage in the background to the earth beneath her feet. This setting underscores the ordinariness of Joan's origins and the extraordinary nature of her destiny.
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