Joshua Commanding the Sun to Stand Still Upon Gibeon (Joshua: 10: 12–14)
The British painter and printmaker John Martin made his reputation with sublime scenes of vast spaces overwhelmed by classical architecture and countless figures. He made this drawing in preparation for the painting that launched his future successes: Joshua Commanding the Sun to Stand Still upon Gibeon (National Gallery of Art, Washington DC; exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1816, reproduced in lithograph and two mezzotints in 1827). It shows Joshua, the Old Testament commander of the Israelite armies, standing on the rocky outcropping in the foreground. He commands the sun and moon to stop in their courses so that the Israelites may destroy their fleeing enemies-the Amorites, who had been attacking the city of Gibeon-in the prolonged daylight (Joshua 10:12-13).
Artwork Details
- Title: Joshua Commanding the Sun to Stand Still Upon Gibeon (Joshua: 10: 12–14)
- Artist: John Martin (British, Haydon Bridge, Northumberland 1789–1854 Douglas, Isle of Man)
- Date: ca. 1822
- Medium: Pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash over red chalk, heightened with white; squared in black chalk
- Dimensions: sheet: 15 7/8 x 24 in. (40.3 x 61 cm)
- Classification: Drawings
- Credit Line: Bequest of Harry G. Sperling, 1971
- Object Number: 1975.131.200
- Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints
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