Joan of Arc 

Sir John Everett Millais painted "Joan of Arc" in an unknown year using oil on canvas. Our attention is immediately drawn to the contrast between the cool, metallic armour and the warm red fabric of Joan’s skirt, a contrast that evokes a sense of tension. Millais has structured the composition with Joan at its centre, kneeling, her gaze directed upwards. This vertical orientation emphasizes her spiritual focus, while the armour suggests the earthly conflict she is involved in. The sword, held horizontally, creates a visual division between the upper and lower parts of the painting, between the spiritual and the material. The detailed rendering of the armour, reflecting light and shadow, underscores its solidity and weight. This serves not only to highlight Millais's technical skill but also to emphasize the physical burden Joan carries. The red skirt, a splash of vibrant color, suggests passion, courage, and possibly the sacrifice that awaits her. Ultimately, Millais uses the interplay of color, light, and form to explore the complex interplay of the spiritual and the material, the sacred and the profane.