Joan of Arc: Initial Ideas for Warrior Project

 Joan of Arc: Initial Ideas

In this post I will outline my initial ideas for the Warrior Project which I am creating for the IIM 

Above, this 1903 engraving of St. Joan of Arc by Albert Lynch was featured in Figaro Illustre magazine. (photo: Public domain/Wikimedia Commons)

Brief Biography

Joan of Arc was 'born c. 1412, Domrémy, Bar, France—died May 30, 1431, Rouen; She was a national heroine of France, a peasant girl who, believing that she was acting under divine guidance, led the French army in a momentous victory at Orléans that repulsed an English attempt to conquer France during the Hundred Years’ War. Captured a year afterward, Joan was burned to death by the English and their French collaborators as a heretic. She became the greatest national heroine of her compatriots, and her achievement was a decisive factor in the later awakening of French national consciousness.' (Encyclopedia Britannica 2021)

Considering Joan of arc I want to consider the elements that made up her life of martyrdom.  Joan of arc had visions where she believed that God was speaking to her, theories today think that she may have been suffering from mental illness such as;  'one of numerous neurological and psychiatric conditions that trigger hallucinations or delusions, including migraines, bipolar disorder and brain lesions or  that she contracted bovine tuberculosis, which can cause seizures and dementia, from drinking unpasteurized milk and tending cattle as a young girl.' (Cohen, 2021)  This idea of messages from God or a kind of madness could be portrayed through the photographic image also these images come to mind...

Prayers 

Crosses 

Burned at the stake - fire 

Armour, metal, grey

Martyr 

So thinking about the visual imagery I could create photos  - creating a photo using symbolic imagery such as crosses and fire

Using perhaps Rosary beads - here is a test shot I took whilst thinking about this work

Settings F1.9,  Shutter Speed 1/50, ISO 80, WB Auto - no flash 

This was a quick test shot on my phone I will look at other options and will use my camera to take final images.  

These are just some initial thoughts!

References

Encyclopedia Britannica. 2021. Joan of Arc | Biography, Death, Accomplishments, & Facts. [online] Available at: <https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Joan-of-Arc> [Accessed 5 October 2021].

 Cohen, J., 2021. 7 Surprising Facts About Joan of Arc. [online] HISTORY. Available at: https://www.history.com/news/7-surprising-facts-about-joan-of-arc [Accessed 5 October 2021].