nouveau-art:Maude Adams as Joan of Arc, 1909, Alphonse MuchaEvery time I see this painting, I am con
nouveau-art:Maude Adams as Joan of Arc, 1909, Alphonse MuchaEvery time I see this painting, I am convinced that it has to be my favourite Mucha. As usual the composition and art nouveau cornucopia of vines and flowers are unquestionably gorgeous, but what hits me here is the face. Mucha could have painted Joan of Arc as a poised, regal, fierce warrior- as she often is portrayed- yet instead he chose the moment of her epiphany and utterly nailed it.Her expression is absolutely the face of someone who is hearing voices, the voice of a god asking her to lead a war, no less. There is no poise here, but the flicker of countless frozen emotions: Her eyes nearly bulge out of her head in shock and wonder. Her mouth is not prettily symmetrical but askew, teeth showing within a slight grimace of fear, like a defensive animal. Her right hand is raised equally like a shield against the onslaught and as a show of surrender; her left is part claw ready to strike and part horn to better listen. This is the precise moment where she could either refuse or accept her god and fate. This image is dripping in rose-coloured, virginal flowers and delicate fabrics yet there is as much power and intensity than if it showed the bloodied warrior with her sword. I bet that Mucha knew that the viewer would know what her fate was already and that the most powerful moment of all was when- and that- she said yes. It’s brilliant. -- source link
#art#fucking art#alphonse mucha#uuuughhh