Joan of Arc
c. 1889
Ernest Meissonier, a French painter famous for his painstakingly detailed historical scenes, was working on a massive, unfinished painting of Joan of Arc when he died in 1891. This sketch from around 1889 shows the central figure in armor on horseback, flanked by soldiers, capturing the energy of the composition before he would meticulously render every detail. Meissonier was known for his obsession with historical accuracy, often researching costumes and armor for years. This drawing reveals his quick, gestural hand, a stark contrast to the hyper-realistic finish he was famous for in the Academic art movement.
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