An impressive and highly finished depiction of Joan of Arc by American painter and illustrator Astley David Middleton Cooper (1856-1924). Signed lower left ADM Cooper 1916, the work depicts the French heroine in armor holding an imposing sword, her costume embellished with fluers-de-lis. The strong diagonal composition and idealized treatment reflect Cooper’s experience as a commercial illustrator as well as an easel painter.

Of particular interest, History San Jose, which maintains an important archive devoted to A.D.M. Cooper, holds a 1916 photographic record of a smaller signed version or study for this composition (Collection A.D.M. Cooper. 1979-143-139). The existence of this related version provides valuable contemporary documentation for the composition. See last photo of the study for this work.

The 1916 date places the painting during the First World War, when Joan of Arc enjoyed renewed prominence as an international symbol of courage, patriotism, and sacrifice. Although Cooper’s image has the strong graphic qualities associated with period illustration and poster art, no specific published use of the composition has yet been identified.

This same year saw the release of Cecil B. DeMille’s Joan the Woman, a movie about a British soldier during World War I who finds an ancient sword linked to Joan of Arc and begins seeing visions. The movie was thought to by sympathetic to the cause of encouraging the United States to join the War in Europe. Later in 1918 the US Treasury used an image of Joan of Arc to promote US Savings Stamps to American Women with the slogan “Joan of Arc Saved France, Women of America, Save Your Country - Buy War Savings Stamps.”

The painting has recently undergone professional conservation by Baumgartner Fine Art Restoration in Chicago, which included stabilization of the paint surface and cleaning to reveal its exceptionally attractive color and detail. The painting measures 32” x 22” and overall with frame measures 42 1/2” x 33 1/4”. The painting is ready to hang.

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