Joan of Arc's Death at the Stake

This painting, Joan of Arc's Death at the Stake by Hermann Anton Stilke, was made in 1843 for the purpose of supporting that Joan of Arc’s death was met with injustice and bravery. She was condemned to death by an English court on the charge of heresy, but in reality she was condemned for supporting her people and so was seen as an enemy to England. But instead of having the discouraging effect on the French, as the English had hoped, Joan became a martyr through her bravery and sacrifice of her life.

The style of this painting is classic for the enlightenment period of art. The painting has the perfect symmetry that the renaissance sought to achieve. We can see this as Joan is based at the center on the stake, while she is edged on the sides by tall buildings that balance each other and also by crowds of people on either side of the painting.  The light in the scene shines solely on Joan’s body in the middle of the scene to make it perfectly clear that she is the center of focus in the painting. We can also tell from her facial and body expressions that sympathy and self-sacrifice are the main themes and message to be conveyed from this scene.
(Robert L. Faherty)