Joan

Joan of Arc, 1879
Jules Bastien-Lepage (French, 1848–1884)
Oil on canvas; 100 x 110 in. (254 x 279.4 cm)

First spotted in an art history book at university and later happened upon in the dizzying halls of the Met, jarringly placed in close proximity to half-finished (or half-demolished?) Roman statues, this painting is among my favorites for the realism of the setting and Joan's spiritually enraputured face. I like to think that she and Zaynab, Dawn-Breaker of a more recent era, share qualities if not a kindred communion, spurring others on to devoted service.