Watermark: none.
After training under Bellange for four years and then spending six years in Rome, Deruet returned to Nancy in 1619 to succeed his master as court painter and director of festivals. His style is indebted to his predecessor and reflects his contact with Italian art as well as the prevailing influence of the courtly style that continued to dominate the arts in France. Strong female figures were prominent in the growing body of literature devoted to illustrious women, and Amazons, with their combination of military prowess and virtue, were particularly appealing. Deruet painted a series of Amazon battles; it is possible that this drawing was a design for a festival decoration. The drawing was extended with a strip of paper at left, containing a continuation of the horse's hoof in black chalk.
Inscribed at lower left in black chalk in a19th century (?) hand, "Belange"; inscribed in pen and brown ink on old lining paper, "Joan of Arc / by / Belange / Kaye Dowland / 1862".
Bellange, Jacques, approximately 1575-1616, Formerly attributed to.
Dowland, Kaye, former owner.
Pierpont Morgan Library. Review of Acquisitions, 1949-1968. New York : Pierpont Morgan Library, 1969, p. 141.
Adams, Frederick B., Jr., comp. Tenth Report to the Fellows of the Pierpont Morgan Library, 1960. New York : Pierpont Morgan Library, 1960, p. 53-55.
Denison, Cara D. French Drawings, 1550-1825. New York : Pierpont Morgan Library, 1984, no. 8.
Denison, Cara D. French Master Drawings in the Pierpont Morgan Library. New York : Pierpont Morgan Library, 1993, no. 12, repr. in color.