"Joshua Commanding the Sun to Stand Still" by John Martin, completed in 1816, is a stunning portrayal of the biblical narrative from the Book of Joshua. In this monumental painting, Martin captures the awe-inspiring moment when Joshua, the leader of the Israelites, commands the sun to stand still during a battle against the Amorites. The scene is rendered with epic scale and dramatic intensity, as the sun and moon appear frozen in the sky above, while armies clash below. Martin's mastery of light and shadow imbues the painting with a sense of divine intervention and supernatural power, heightening the sense of awe and wonder. Through "Joshua Commanding the Sun to Stand Still," Martin invites viewers to contemplate themes of faith, courage, and the miraculous, while showcasing his remarkable talent for capturing the grandeur of biblical stories with cinematic flair.
TitleJoshua Commanding the Sun to Stand Still upon Gibeon
ArtistJohn Martin (English Romantic painter and printmaker of biblical and apocalyptic landscapes; Haydon Bridge, near Hexham, Northumberland, 19 July 1789 - Douglas, Isle of Man, 17 February 1854)
Year of creation1816 (Martin's breakthrough picture, painted when he was 27 years old after several lean years working as a heraldic and china painter and a teacher of drawing in London. The composition combines biblical history with sublime apocalyptic landscape: it illustrates the dramatic incident from the Old Testament Book of Joshua, chapter 10, in which Joshua — leader of the Israelites — comes to the assistance of the besieged city of Gibeon by appealing to Jehovah to halt the sun in its course over the valley of Aijalon so that his army has more daylight in which to defeat the besieging Amorite confederacy. Joshua stands in the centre of the composition on a rocky outcrop in profile to the viewer, his right arm raised commandingly toward the sun, while behind him God's storm of hail and fire is unleashed on the fleeing enemy. The painting was first exhibited at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition of 1816 at Somerset House — the 48th annual Exhibition, no. 218 — and again the following year at the British Institution, where it won critical acclaim and the British Institution's third prize of 100 guineas. The picture established Martin's career and the template for the apocalyptic sublime biblical canvases for which he would become famous — Belshazzar's Feast, The Fall of Babylon, The Great Day of His Wrath and so on)
Technique/MediumOil on canvas
Original dimensions150 x 231 cm (59 x 91 inches)
Collection/MuseumNational Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C. (accession no. 2004.64.1; acquired 28 May 2004 from Thomas Agnew & Sons Ltd. Provenance: purchased 1822 by William Collins; Thomas Wilson, until 1848; John Naylor, until 1889; John M. Naylor; his estate sale at Leighton Hall, Welshpool, 23 January 1923, no. 41; given anonymously in 1924 to the United Grand Lodge of England, which sold it to Agnew's in 2004. A smaller later autograph reduction, c.1840, 47.9 x 62.5 cm, is at the Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection [B1976.7.55]; Martin also made an 1835 mezzotint of the composition for his Illustrations of the Bible)
We provide Worldwide Shipping with tracking to most locations around the world. We operate a global production network, which allows us to produce and deliver orders locally for free. Our production facilities are located in the US, Canada, UK, Spain, and Australia.
Shipping times around the world vary based on your location. Here are our estimated delivery times from the day of purchase:
US, Canada: 7-10 business days
Continental US, Alaska and Hawaii: 10-14 business days
UK: 7-10 business days
Australia: 7-10 business days
EU: 10-14 business days
Rest of the World: 14 business days
Above times are estimates, and include handling time to prepare your order. Business days exclude weekends and holidays. Please refer to the delivery time specific to your shipping address that is presented during the checkout.
We currently ship with the following global shipping partners: FedEx, UPS, DHL, GLS, Canada Post, Royal Mail, Aramex, and Australia Post.
Museum-quality reproductions
Each print is crafted with meticulous care, ensuring every detail captures the essence of the original masterpiece.
This way, you receive the most faithful reproduction possible, bringing the museum experience directly into your home.
Bright & intensive color spectrum. Best choice if you plan to frame it by yourself/local craft shop.
*Requests framing (frame is not included with this option)
Canvas Features
Our gallery wrapped canvas framed with a wooden frame and ready to hang out of the box with hanging hardware pre-installed.
*Specially coated with poly-cot canvas for the highest durability and best color vibrancy. Archival grade canvas.
Black Frame
Black floating frame is a popular add-on to any canvas during the purchase. The frame is build using our proprietary profile radial pine, and coated with black graphite that gives it a gallery quality, luxurious matte finish.
I have the other Daniel painting also, the one where he is entering the lion's den. My daughter liked it so much, that I lent it to her, not sure I'd ever get it back so ordered this one. Keep it in the blue bedroom we use for visitors, always sparks a conversion.
Just love it !
I simply love the portrait of the three black cats! - flawless print, elegant frame and quick shipping with sufficient packaging.
I will be coming back for more!
Thank you! <3
Extremely clear and detailed. Photo is the print with museum grade glass.
You could look at it a hundred times and still notice a different detail each time.
We absolutely love this print! We framed it and displayed it in our sacred space area. Great addition to our decor and a powerful piece of art. Many thanks.
Okay, let me start by saying this is my favorite painting of all time. I love skulls. I am beyond thrilled to own this piece and show it off to all who enter! I cannot believe this was painted in 1533.. It stirs me. 10/10 piece. Easy.
I am attaching two photos of the upper left corner where the crucifix lies hidden in plain sight. I am disappointed that the wrap of the canvas wasn't very tight on this one. Because of the loose wrapping.. you can clearly see that the crucifix is mirrored from the printing job and it kind of ruins that corner of the piece because it is a detail you aren't suppose to notice right away. Unfortunately it sticks out in plain view. I plan to take black paint and just tape off the edge and fill the outer edge so the crucifix has a proper corner to inhabit. Although, I am hesitant to try and alter something so expensive.. Not sure what to do.
Solid as usual. Solid as always. The Last Days of Pompeii is dramatic and moody; just what I wanted. Print quality is sharp, colors are faithful. The artwork is theatrical, and work well on canvas. I'm a history nut and have had a fascination with Pompeii since my teens, so this one had to join my collection. Happy with it.
We made our first purchase from Inspiraggio, The Beheading of St John the Baptist | Caravaggio | 1608.
We absolutely love it. The quality and framing are amazing. It changes the whole room.
Thanks!!!
I ordered two paintings from Inspiraggio, and both are of incredible quality and remarkably faithful to the originals. The canvas and frame both feel sturdy, and the level of detail is truly impressive. I’m delighted with my purchases and would definitely order from them again in the future
Very pretty. I knew I had to have 'Vanity' when I saw it. 'The Great Red Dragon...' is... great as well. Both quality prints, really like how they look in my apartment.