Joan of Arc continues to attract attention. In Joan of Arc. Reality and Myth, Dick de Boer, Professor of Medieval History in Groningen, outlines the versatility of Joan's image, extending even to modern-day cartoons. Rotterdam cultural historian Jan van Herwaarden attempts to prenetrate Joan's reality, placing some emphasis on the religious aspects of her appearance. Dick Berents, medievalist in Utrecht, explains how a women calling herself Joan of Arc could appear shortly after Joan's execution in 1431. Lastly, Marina Warner readdresses the theme of Joan of Arc as the subject of myths, in particular as the plural-interpretable female prototype.
The four chapters of this richly illustrated book are a written record of presentations held sometime ago when Marina Warner was appointed to the Tinbergen chair at Erasmus University Rotterdam.