After the war of 1871, the twofold influence of the patriotic spirit, exalted by defeat, and the revival of Catholicism among the middle class gave a new impetus to admiration of the Maid. Arts and letters completed the transfiguration of Jeanne. Catholics, like the learned Canon Dunand,[129] vie in zeal and enthusiasm with free-thinking idealists like M. Joseph Fabre.[130] By reproducing the two trials in a very artistic manner, in modern French and in a direct form of speech, M. Fabre has popularised the most ancient and the most touching impression of the Maid.[131] [Footnote 129: Chanoine Dunand, _Histoire de Jeanne d'Arc_, Toulouse, 1898-1899, 3 vols. in 8vo.] [Footnote 130: Joseph Fabre, _Jeanne d'Arc liberatrice de la France_, new edition, Paris, 1894, in 12mo.] [Footnote 131: _Proces de condamnation de Jeanne d'Arc...._, translated with commentary by J. Fabre, new edition, Paris, 1895, in 18mo.] From this period date almost innumerable works of erudition, among which must be noted those of Simeon Luce, which henceforth no one who would treat of Jeanne's early years can afford to neglect.[132] [Footnote 132: _Jeanne d'Arc a Domremy_, _op. cit._; _La France pendant la guerre de Cent Ans_, _op. cit._] We are equally indebted to M. Germain Lefevre-Pontalis for his fine editions and his discerning studies so eruditely graceful and exact. Throughout this period of romantic and Neo-Catholic enthusiasm the arts of painting and sculpture produced numerous representations of Jeanne, which had hitherto been very rare. Now everywhere were to be found Jeanne in armour and on horseback, Jeanne in prayer, Jeanne in captivity, Jeanne suffering martyrdom. Of all these images expressing in different manners and with varying merit the taste and the sentiment of the period, one work only appears great and true, and of striking beauty: Rude's Jeanne d'Arc beholding a vision.[133] [Footnote 133: Lanery d'Arc, _Le livre d'Or de Jeanne d'Arc_, Nos. 2080 to 2112.]