“Joan of Arc”
This medieval miniature, titled “Joan of Arc”, or “Jeanne d’Arc”, is a gouache and watercolor on paper painting done in the International Gothic style by an unknown artist that dates to circa 1450 to 1500. It was painted just several decades after Joan’s death. This is the earliest surviving portrait of Joan, but it is still an artist’s interpretation. The only known painting of Joan that she sat for in life has unfortunately not survived.
Joan of Arc is a French national heroine who lived from 1412 to 1431. She is remembered for her leadership in several important French victories during the Hundred Years’ War.
Joan was born in Domrémy, a small village in the French countryside, to a family of modest means. She was born into a country that was devastated from decades of war. France and England were fighting over succession to the French throne, and as most of the fighting took place in France, the French people were suffering the most from it.
From the age of 12, Joan was said to have visions telling her to aid Charles of Valois, the son of Charles VI, and seen as the rightful heir. She was often visited by what she described as angels, specifically Saint Michael, Saint Catherine, and Saint Margaret, who told her to drive the English out of France.
At age 16, Joan attempted to visit Charles at his makeshift court in Chinon but was turned away. She tried again the following year and was finally granted an audience. Joan told him of her visions and that with her help, Charles would be crowned as the rightful King of France in Reims. Charles sent her to Orléans where she helped drive the English from the city. Joan was a great inspiration to the French people. Her incredible foresight allowed her access to the French court, which she notoriously attended in male clothing.
Joan’s intervention in the Hundred Years’ War turned the English and French conflict into a religious war with heightened stakes. After a truce with England was broken, Joan went to Compiègne to help defend the city from the English. She was unhorsed by an archer and captured by the English near Paris on May 23, 1430. Joan was put on trial for heresy where she was found guilty. On May 30, 1431, at just 19 years old, Joan was burned at the stake.
Many people believe that because of Joan’s intervention, Charles VII was able to keep his legitimacy to the French throne. Joan was beatified in 1909 and canonized in 1920. Many chronicles of her trial survived as well as some original letters signed by her hand. All these records have provided an abundance of material for such an incredible event in history and have allowed her story to be elaborated upon.
“Joan of Arc” is currently in the collection of the Archives Nationales in Paris, France.
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