More Than a Soldier
Although my knowledge of
her life is little, Joan of Arc's relief of Orléans was one of my favorite events in her life. I stumbled upon several paintings depicting
her in battle and triumphantly reliving the town from the English siege. This painting, done by Scherrer in 1870, is a
depiction of her that I am particularly fond of. This painting, unlike some others, shows Joan of Arc in a non combative role entering the
city. While Joan did fight alongside her
soldiers, she was much more than just a warrior. The painting shows Joan leading her army into the city, which indicates the inspiring
role that she had amongst her soldiers. In
addition, the townspeople in the painting also seem to be cheering and praising
her, another indication of the hope that she inspired. By illuminating Joan in the painting Scherer shed
light on the divinity that she felt, which was elaborated on in the Zophy text
book. Another symbol of hope in this
painting is Joan of Arc's battle standard.
The flag that she holds, which I have come to find out through looking
around the internet, was something she brought into battle. The standard served
as a symbol of the centralized location of her army in a conflict. One site I looked at said that on several
occasions when her army was losing ground she would run forward and plant her
standard on the front lines and inspire her army to win the fight. I am not sure how reputable the source is,
but I like to think it's true!
Although my knowledge of
her life is little, Joan of Arc's relief of Orléans was one of my favorite events in her life. I stumbled upon several paintings depicting
her in battle and triumphantly reliving the town from the English siege. This painting, done by Scherrer in 1870, is a
depiction of her that I am particularly fond of. This painting, unlike some others, shows Joan of Arc in a non combative role entering the
city. While Joan did fight alongside her
soldiers, she was much more than just a warrior. The painting shows Joan leading her army into the city, which indicates the inspiring
role that she had amongst her soldiers. In
addition, the townspeople in the painting also seem to be cheering and praising
her, another indication of the hope that she inspired. By illuminating Joan in the painting Scherer shed
light on the divinity that she felt, which was elaborated on in the Zophy text
book. Another symbol of hope in this
painting is Joan of Arc's battle standard.
The flag that she holds, which I have come to find out through looking
around the internet, was something she brought into battle. The standard served
as a symbol of the centralized location of her army in a conflict. One site I looked at said that on several
occasions when her army was losing ground she would run forward and plant her
standard on the front lines and inspire her army to win the fight. I am not sure how reputable the source is,
but I like to think it's true!