Child of God

Subject: Joan of Arc in stone
Location: Maison de Jeanne d'Arc
Portrait: purchase options

The Maid of Orléans

Subject: Joan of Arc in stone
Location: Maison de Jeanne d'Arc
Portrait: purchase options

Then: The Maison de Jeanne d'Arc stands at the reconstructed home where Joan lodged during her stay in Orléans from April 29 to May 9, 1430. In 1940, the house was razed during a WWII bomb attack. In 1965, in was reconstructed with materials from old destroyed homes. It has operated as a museum since 1976. This somber visage of Joan of Arc, as well as the excellent dioramas, are worth the visit.

Now: Some subjects can produce good photos from many angles. I elected for black and white here to enhance the natural "framing" created by the window and corners of the window sill and to soften the light upon Joan's bound hands. A version of this statue outside the Hôtel Groslot has Joan holding a sword in her right hand. This portrait brings elegant simplicity to any room.

Dark Night of the Soul

Subject: Joan of Arc imprisoned
Location: Maison de Jeanne d'Arc
Portrait: available upon request

Then: Joan was captured on May 23, 1430, and imprisoned for just over a year. What followed was one of the most fascinating and most documented trials in history. She withstood relentless questioning from over one hundred skilled politicians, lawyers, priests, theologians and ambassadors. Joan of Arc witnessed her darkest hours while confined: jumping from the tower of Beaurevoir, fighting sickness, facing torture, enduring incessant questioning and eventually recanting her voices.

Now: This detailed relief hangs on the wall of the Maison de Jeanne d'Arc museum. The illusion of depth creates a two-dimensional composition that looks like you can reach into. The color of the medium impresses the weight of Joan's pathos.

I Said for Fear of the Fire

Subject: Joan of Arc bronze relief detail
Location: Place du Martroi
Portrait: purchase options

Our Lady of the Miracles

Subject: Joan of Arc and the Mother Mary
Location: Saint Paul Church
Portrait: available upon request

Then: Joan held special devotion to the Mother Mary, coming to this church to pray before the finale of the battle of Orléans. Below the Mother Mary is the label "ND des Miracles" (Our Lady of the Miracles). The text reads

May 1429 Joan came here to pray for the deliverance of Orléans

June 1940 The sanctuary escaped the destruction of the Saint Paul Church

Now: Portions of the original Saint Paul Church still stand. This depiction of Joan venerating the Mother Mary is naturally framed by the reconstructed peach-colored wall it decorates.

The Siege is Lifted

Subject: Cathédrale Ste-Croix
Location: Place Ste-Croix
Portrait: purchase options

Then: For almost seven months English forces had surrounded the city of Orléans. Under the cover of nightfall, Joan bravely entered the city with a small contingent of men as she waited for the rest of the French troops coming from Blois. Once the battle began, the French penetrated the English forces within five days, lifting the siege that had been enforced since October 12, 1428. Joan was received here in the Cathédrale Sainte-Croix after lifting the siege of Orléans as she prophesied.

Now: After walking through the tight streets surrounding Place Sainte-Croix in heavy rains, the sun dropped just below the thick cloud line shortly before setting. We entered the plaza and were amazed to find the brilliance of the sun dashed across the cathedral's façade. At first, we questioned whether or not there were spotlights focused on it. Then, the dark clouds above the nave gave way and framed the north and south towers in a strikingly deep blue. In the photograph, I was looking to capture the magnificence unfolding before us. Attaining the cross in the lower left was a benefit of the dramatic framing angle that brings the cathedral to life. This portrait adds drama, movement and strength to any room.

Arrival

Subject: Monument detail
Location: Cathédrale Ste-Croix
Portrait: available upon request

Then: The legend of the Maid of Lorraine prophesied by Merlin preceded Joan's arrival in Orléans. Late in the evening of May 7, 1429, Joan and many of the French army entered Orléans by way of the Loire bridge, a route unused by the French since the English occupation. The townspeople greeted them with great fanfare.

Now: Many of the reliefs adorning monuments to Joan of Arc make great monochromatic compositions. Unfortunately, you are not able to approach some of them, so shooting detail is difficult without the proper equipment.

The Saints Before Her

Subject: stained glass
Location: Cathédrale Sainte-Croix
Portrait: available upon request

Then: When Jehanne was about thirteen she first heard the voice of Saint Michael and eventually Saint Catherine and Saint Margaret. The voices deemed her Jehanne the Maid, Child of God, instructing her to preserve her virginity and live a holy life, dedicated to serving God. For about five years the voices provided counsel, guidance and protection preparing young Jehanne for a greater mission—to lead in the liberation of her country from English hands.

Now: Inside the lateral naves of the Cathedral of the Holy Cross is a series of ten stained glass windows honoring the life of Joan of Arc. The first one in the series, Summoned By God, is "How Jeanne the Maid heard her heavenly voices and their commandments."

St. Michael the Archangel appears to a young shepherdess born in Lorraine, Eastern France, in 1412. Her name is JOAN OF ARC. << You must go and help the French King to get rid of the English invaders, because GOD wants this long, awful War to cease. He has chosen you for that purpose >>, He says.

The ten stained glass scenes are magnificently vibrant and intricately detailed. It's easy to spend hours marveling at them. Photographing them with the proper exposure can be tricky. This photograph was particularly challenging because the sun is just touching the left side of the stained glass illuminating Saint Catherine and Saint Margaret touching Joan of Arc, while Saint Michael stands in darkness. I thought the timing and position of the light was interesting.

Treachery

Subject: Joan of Arc
Location: Hôtel Groslot
Portrait: available upon request

Then: On the morning of May 23, 1430 it is said that Jehanne arrived at Compiègne to pray at one of the churches. Her spirit was troubled as she reportedly told a group of curious children watching, "pray for me, for I have been betrayed." That evening she went with a company of soldiers outside the city against the English. After crossing a bridge on an assault of Monseigneur de Luxembourg's men, the English intercepted her and her men, cutting off their retreat. Refusing the demands to surrender, Jehanne was pulled off her horse by a Burgundian archer and taken prisoner amidst the thralls of battle.

Now: At least two versions of this statue exist in Orléans. This one stands outside the Hôtel Groslot, a 16th-century brick mansion where kings Charles IX, Henri III and IV stayed, in the Place Sainte-Croix. Note that this version shows Jeanne clutching a sword, where the version inside the Maison de Jeanne d'Arc is sword-less.