The Maid in Armor on Horseback (Joan of Arc series: III) c. 1908 - 1909

This is Louis Maurice Boutet de Monvel's 'The Maid in Armor on Horseback', from his Joan of Arc series. It's hard to know for sure when it was made, but it really captures a moment in time, doesn't it? Looking at it, I’m thinking about the challenge of painting a procession like this, where everyone's so serious and stately. I wonder how the artist thought about each figure and how they contribute to the overall composition and narrative. The painting is all muted tones, except for the one guy in harlequin. It really tells a story about tradition, faith, and maybe a little bit of rebellion. I can imagine Monvel wanting to show Joan as both a symbol and a real person. You can see it in the precise details and the way he’s handled the paint and the muted palette. It's like he's inviting us to reflect on history and its characters.