Joan of Arc c. 1889

Ernest Meissonier rendered this sketch of Joan of Arc using graphite and watercolor, demonstrating a remarkable economy of means. The composition, dominated by the central figure on horseback, immediately draws the eye to the steely determination of Joan's gaze. Meissonier skillfully uses the translucence of watercolor to suggest depth and movement, juxtaposing fully realized figures with those merely outlined. This technique introduces a sense of temporal and spatial ambiguity, challenging the viewer's perception of the scene's solidity. The spectral quality, achieved through a limited palette and the sketch's unfinished nature, engages with poststructuralist ideas about the instability of historical narratives and the multiplicity of interpretations. Notice the sharp, precise lines of Joan's armor in contrast to the soft, blurred forms of her followers. This juxtaposition serves not only to emphasize her iconic status, but also disrupts conventional notions of heroism and gender, prompting us to consider the constructed nature of historical identity.