Plate 2 La France Croisée (The Cross of France), by Romaine Brooks, 1914. National Museum of American Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C.
What thoughts cross your mind on seeing this arresting portrait?
I find it difficult to limit myself to just one word. Courage. Tenderness. Strength. Ingenuity. Passion. Patriotism. Dedication to preserving life, regardless of the cost to herself, is shown even in the utilitarian cap holding her hair back from her face, preventing wound contamination while protecting her neck from sunburn and falling debris. This nurse has been through a lot, and is prepared to go through more. Amid the battlefield chaos, tragedy and triumphs of World War I France, this nurse dramatically exemplifies traits inherent to the profession of every era. She inspires me!
My eye is drawn to the not-quite-standard red cross sewn onto her cape. In her collection Nursing, the Finest Art, M. Patricia Donahue chooses the characteristic “Humanitarianism” to describe this painting, and tells how the Red Cross was founded in response to earlier battlefields.
“Humanitarianism – a philosophy that asserts the worth and dignity of the individual; a philosophy that guides nursing in its caring functions. Humanitarianism has long been a motive for rendering nursing care. This interrelationship is frequently demonstrated by nursing’s involvement with agencies such as the Red Cross. A great humanitarian, J. Henri Dunant, was instrumental in setting up this international organization that would provide volunteer nursing aid on battlefields. The stimulus for this development was his journey to Italy to secure a meeting with Napoleon III of France. At Solferino he was witness to the horrors of the bloodiest battle of the war between France and Austria. Depressed by the lack of medical services, Dunant enlisted local people to give whatever aid and nursing care were possible. His subsequent appeal to various European governments finally culminated in the International Red Cross, an organization committed to humanitarian services. Dunant repeatedly referred to Florence Nightingale and her work in the Crimea as the inspiration behind his crucial trip to Italy. Her work had also fortified his belief in the feasibility of such an organization. Each government agreed to honor Red Cross nurses as noncombatants and to respect their hospitals and other facilities. In addition, societies in neutral countries would be permitted to render services to either side. Nurses have consistently occupied a place for honor as they have carried out the humanitarian mission of the Red Cross during time of peace and time of war.”
Details: The name of the painting is La France Croisée (The Cross of France). Painted by Romaine Brooks in 1914, it normally resides at the National Museum of American Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C.
For a short time, however, we in the Midwest have a unique opportunity. From March 10 through June 21, La France Croisée is featured at the Shine On: Nurses in Art Exhibition at the Columbus Museum of Art. (Check out the other special displays listed here, too, to soak in some beauty and creativity.) This Michigan nurse is thinking a road trip to this event would be great therapy for overworked, winter-weary nurses. For those desiring the arm-chair version, the Wall Street Journal has done the honors in a fine photo line-up.
#ShineOnCMA!