|
"Joan of Arc," was painted by the French realist artist Jules
Bastien-Lepage in 1879. "After the province of Lorraine was lost to
Germany following the Franco-Prussian War in 1821, The Frenchmen saw in
Joan of Arc a new and powerful symbol. In 1875, Bastien-Lepage, a
native of Lorraine began to make studies for a picture of her. In the
present painting, exhibited in the Salon of 1880, Joan is shown
receiving her revelation in her parents garden. Behind her are Saints
Michael, Margaret, and Catherine. (Caption next to painting in The
Metropolitan)"
Jules Bastien-Lepage creates a realistic atmosphere, including a
supernatural, religious-like presence within his painting. Oil on
canvas was used to create the realistic quality of the work. By closely
examining the artist's technique, it is clear that he uses delicate
brush strokes in a true to life manner. The colors, and use of light
seem to be painted in a layered fashion to give the landscape a sense
of depth. The background of the painting is a garden which include
foliage and brush that surrounds the primary focus of the painting,
Joan of Arc. The artist put a great effort into the details of the
scene. Bastien-Lepage uses a distinct realistic quality in his painting
which is visible in each individual leaf and branch. Various hues of
earth tones, green and brown being the most evident, are blended
together in the garden scene.
In the foreground of the painting is Joan of Arc. She is painted
with a seemingly thicker paint technique. This makes her a more easily
visible aspect in the painting, and catches the onlookers eye. Joan is
dressed in a long brown skirt and blue-gray shirt with white underneath
which is the typical clothing style of the 19th century. The clothing
is painted to show its wear and tear. Her features and her figure are
quite realistic. She seems to have a calm, but troubled expression on
her face, as though she is deep in thought. Overall she is painted in a
very detailed manner.
A less visible, yet still present and important aspect of the
painting are the three figures positioned behind Joan, and in front of
the house. The figures are somewhat transparent, and ghostly. Their
presence adds a spiritual and or religious feeling to the scene. These
three figures presence blends into the scenery. Al three have halos
above their heads, and serene looks on their faces.
The saint on the right is dressed in what looks to be armor. He
looks brave, and as if he is standing guard or going into battle. The
middle saint is a praying angel. She is in a dress with a gauzy, white
presence around her. This whiteness gives her an ethereal quality which
Bastien-Lepage has painted quite effectively, and adds to the spiritual
feeling of the scene. Her presence in the painting seems to represent
chastity and virtue. The last figure looks like a young girl or child,
who is kneeling with her face hidden in her hands almost as if she is
upset. Perhaps Bastien-Lepage painted these three saints not only to
illustrate Joan receiving her visions, but to illustrate the bravery,
religious yet childlike figure that she was.
Behind Joan of Arc, in the background of the picture is a house.
Bastien-Lepage painted the house so that the masonry is visible. The
house seems to be small in size, plain, and quaint. Surrounding the
house is shrubbery, trees, and more of the garden which is seen
throughout the painting.
This painting of Joan of Arc is very significant. Bastien-Lepage is
able to effectively depict Joan as the true heroine that she was.
|
|
|
(0 vote)