Joshua Commanding the Sun to Stand Still upon Gibeon by John Martin. An epic biblical landscape depicting Joshua standing on a cliff above a vast battlefield, with the sky dramatically divided between a dark storm and radiant sun.

Joshua Commanding the Sun to Stand Still upon Gibeon

John Martin

1816 · Oil Paint, Canvas

A masterpiece of the Romantic sublime, this dramatic 1816 work captures a moment of divine intervention over a sprawling, epic landscape.

$129

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Where it works

A weightier piece with lively force in a warmer tonal register — supports a polished room with depth.

Often works in
Library · Living Room · Study
Placement
Works well when the wall can carry a broader statement
Walls
Best where a lighter wall gives it room to show
Color notes
Charcoal black, Soft gray

About the piece

Created in 1816, this painting by John Martin is a definitive example of the Romantic sublime, illustrating the biblical account of Joshua commanding the celestial bodies to halt. The work is characterized by its immense scale and powerful chiaroscuro, contrasting a cataclysmic, dark storm on the left with the luminous glow of the sun and moon over the intricate classical architecture of Gibeon.

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