The Crowning at Rheims of the Dauphin (Joan of Arc series: V) 1907

Louis Maurice Boutet de Monvel made "The Crowning at Rheims of the Dauphin" with oil on canvas, and I imagine he created it with a mixture of meticulous planning and intuitive leaps. I wonder what it was like to be him, as he mapped out the space and bodies of all these figures. The painting feels decorative with its surface patterns and the soft, muted color palette. The people are arranged almost like wallpaper, and it's interesting to see how they play with flatness and depth. What could it be like to make a painting with such an unusual perspective? There are so many details to consider, from the folds of the royal robes to the glint of light on the spears, each brushstroke carefully placed to create a sense of atmosphere and narrative. I’m reminded of Puvis de Chavannes in the way Monvel simplifies his forms into something both modern and ancient. Artists like Monvel remind us that painting is about more than just representation; it’s a conversation across time, where each stroke builds upon the insights of those who came before.