{"product_id":"joshua-commanding-the-sun-to-stand-still-john-martin","title":"Joshua Commanding the Sun to Stand Still - John Martin","description":"\u003cp\u003eA dramatic Romantic scene by John Martin, depicting the biblical Joshua commanding the sun to stand still amidst a vast, storm-swept terrain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJohn Martin, a painter known for his dramatic and expansive compositions, produced this work in 1816. It depicts the biblical narrative from the Book of Joshua, where the leader of the Israelites commands the sun to remain stationary to allow his army to complete their victory. Martin employs a theatrical approach to scale, placing the figure of Joshua on a precipice overlooking a vast, dark valley. The composition relies on the contrast between the small human figures and the overwhelming power of the natural environment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe painting features a dark, stormy sky that dominates the upper portion of the canvas. A singular, intense shaft of light breaks through the clouds, illuminating the distant city and the rugged terrain. This use of chiaroscuro creates a sense of atmospheric tension. Martin was fascinated by the sublime, a concept that explores the mixture of awe and terror inspired by the natural world. The jagged rock formations and the distant, sprawling architecture reflect his interest in both geological formations and ancient civilisations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTechnically, the work demonstrates Martin's ability to manage complex lighting effects. The palette is largely composed of deep browns, greys, and blacks, which are punctuated by the bright, celestial light. This specific work helped establish his reputation for creating large-scale, imaginative scenes that moved away from the traditional portraiture or domestic subjects common in the period. The painting is currently held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. It remains a primary example of the British Romantic interest in the intersection of divine intervention and the physical world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin-top:2rem;padding-top:1.5rem;border-top:1px solid #e5e5e5;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:0.85rem;color:#888;font-weight:600;margin:0 0 0.75rem;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:0.05em;\"\u003eYou might also like\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:0.5rem;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/man-leading-a-camel-edwin-lord-weeks\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003eMan Leading a Camel - Edwin Lord Weeks — Edwin Lord Weeks\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/rhyl-sands-david-cox\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003eRhyl Sands - David Cox — David Cox\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"John Martin","offers":[{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ -","offer_id":58369789264207,"sku":null,"price":28.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58369799455055,"sku":null,"price":35.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58369799487823,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58369799520591,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58369799553359,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58369799586127,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58369799618895,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58369799651663,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58369799684431,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58369799717199,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58369799749967,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58369799782735,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0833\/9292\/1935\/files\/Joshua-Commanding-the-Sun-to-Stand-Still_Poster_CompositorV1_1785684033229.jpg?v=1785687405","url":"https:\/\/www.solisprints.co.uk\/products\/joshua-commanding-the-sun-to-stand-still-john-martin","provider":"Solis Prints","version":"1.0","type":"link"}