Charles-henri Michel - Jeanne d'Arc Praying In Her Cell In Rouen - Oil On Canvas - 1904

Renowned history painter, present in many French museums, Charles-Henri MICHEL has highlighted the life of Joan of Arc on several occasions. One can thus contemplate the "communion of Joan of Arc" on the wall of the main staircase of the historial Joan of Arc in Rouen as well as a "handing over of the standard to Joan of Arc" at the castle of Blois (chapel). The Peronne museum also has a portrait of the virgin of Orleans.

The painting that we offer is exceptional in more than one way: on one hand, high-quality works representing Joan of Arc are very rare on the market, on other hand, most of Charles-Henri MICHEL's paintings are owned by museums, so you almost never see them go on sale. For example, on the 4 oils known to the painter illustrating Joan of Arc, only this one is still available, the other 3 being the property of museums !!

I tried to contact a few museums with a strong historical link with Joan of Arc (Rouen, Blois ...), they unfortunately did not not buy due to budgetary constraints. This painting would certainly have its place in an institution. It is a real opportunity for an collector to acquire such a work !

Mr. Charles-Henry MICHEL, grandson of the painter, informed me that he was in possession of an ink drawing presenting the same subject, which he gave to the Rouen Museum (see last photo). This painting of Joan of Arc praying in her cell in Rouen in 1431, until my discovery, was then only known through this drawing, where Joan appears with very short hair (to confer a less dramatic image of the situation, the painter represented it here with longer hair).

The work was painted in 1904, a few months before the death of Charles-Henri MICHEL, in early January 1905. Aged 87 and probably feeling the end approaching, he added his date of birth next to the date of creation of the canvas.

Oil on canvas 92 x 74 cms (with heavy frame, about 110 x 92 cms)

Signed and dated lower right "CH MICHEL", "1817" (painter's date of birth ")" 1904 "(year of creation)

Beautiful general presentation, canvas relined in the past, a tear restored in the back wall

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