Joan of Arc is both historical figure and a mythological figure. Artists have depicted her as representing mercy, heroism, nationalism and even peace. She has been shown alternately as an amazon and in the less threatening traditional female garb and poses. She was tried as a witch and later made a saint by the Catholic church. Both the French and the Germans used her in posters to promote their causes in WW II. Here I am looking at both christian and pagan traditions in her depiction. Joan and her saints, Catherine and Margaret are all representative of the Dianic tradition of virginal, strong women. Both of her saints spurned men and were matyred for it. Catherine emerges out of the wheel, the instrument of her torture, holding the sword of her oppressor. Margaret rises out of the mouth of a dragon (depicted here as part of the flames) also holding the sword of her enemies. Joan stands strong in the fire, seemingly unscathed by the flames. At Joan's feet is the fleur de lis, the symbol of France. The back of the sculpture depicts unknown women, who were matyred for witchcraft or being "different". In taking on this subject, I felt there were questions that the figure of Joan of Arc raises for us all, and that these issues are pertinent in today's discussions. |