Art Analyisis Of Joan Of Arc By Jules Bastien Lepage
"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....
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