9.11.2014

In the Arms of the Angel(s)?

The evolution of Joan’s differing answers in regards to the voice or voices she heard is readily depicted in artwork, with images that illustrate her varying descriptions. Historically speaking, it is known and recorded information (from the words of Joan herself at her Rouen trial) that the voice of God first appeared to Joan in her father’s garden, outside of her home. Joan described it as an angelic voice (note the mention of just one voice in her description). Upon further questioning Joan labels the voice as that of Saint Michael. The first image below depicts the scene Joan first described where Saint Michael himself spoke to her. Also interesting to note is the red attire Joan is illustrated in, a trademark often ascribed to Joan in artwork, as historians now know through testimony of several men who traveled with Joan, that she wore a red dress before changing into her solider apparel. The image also does not show Joan looking upon Saint Michael, but rather he is whispering into her ear, leaning down from the heavens. This idea of Joan not seeing but simply hearing the voice of Saint Michael is more akin to what her testimony describes, as she never relates to having seen a heavenly figure or saint, but merely hearing them and taking instruction.  

Jeanne d'Arc, by Eugène Thirion (1876). 



The second image below is more illustrative of Joan’s last testimony of the voice, during which she describes the formerly know "voice" as the “the vocies” and reveals the names of three saints who spoke to her in the garden: Saint Michael, Saint Catherine, and Saint Margaret. This image presumably depicts the two female saints Joan describes, although choosing not to depict Saint Michael is an intersting choice on the part of the artist. Again, Joan is depicted as wearing a form of red clothing, her traditionally illustrated pre-warrior garb. Differing from the first image, however, is the placement of the two saints, who are standing in front of Joan almost as if appearing in sight to her. However, Joan’s eyes are closed, as if in prayer. While neither image is historically perfect, the two pieces of artwork depict perhaps one of the greatest discrepancies throughout the Joan of Arc trial and testimony.

Saint Joan of Arc, by Howard Pyle (1919). 



2 comments:

  1. Rachel,
    Great post! I wanted to ask what you thought about the color of Joan's clothing generally being red. Do you think the color has some kind of symbology behind it?

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  2. Beth-
    Traditionally red was meant to describe those with regal or royal blood, so the imagery truly astonishes me! It could very well be the artists decision to paint Joan in a honorable light, or even in the typical "peasant" attire some primary sources mention as also being burgundy or red in color. One thing is for sure, the Middle Ages were certainly not brown and boring! Thanks for commenting!
    Rachel

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