Minneapolis Institute of Art

Joan of Arc Panel

France

Date

c. 1815

Medium

Cotton, copperplate print

Department

European Art

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

In the 15th century, a young, deeply religious French peasant girl named Joan of Arc heard “voices” that urged her to save her country from English and Burgundian aggressors. She led France’s troops in battle but was eventually captured and condemned by the English to burn at the stake. Illustrated here are five incidents in Joan of Arc’s life: Joan going into battle; her appearance before the king; leading Charles into Rouen; Joan repudiated by the King; Joan at the stake. Toward the end of the 18th century, French and English textile manufacturers mastered dye technology, enabling them to produce fine printed cotton textiles. Not only were these new textiles less expensive than costly Asian imports, but they featured distinctly European themes. Particularly popular images included scenes highlighting historic events, such as this one, depictions of well-known monuments and buildings, as well as traditional floral motifs. The practicality of a decorative textile, that could be easily cleaned, was particulary appealing and the cloth was used for everything from bed and window curtains to women’s dresses.

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