Joshua Commanding the Sun to Stand Still upon Gibeon

John Martin

Oil on canvas

National Gallery of Art

This monumental biblical masterpiece depicts the dramatic moment from the Old Testament when Joshua commands the sun and moon to halt their course, allowing the Israelite army to defeat their fleeing enemies at Gibeon. John Martin, the celebrated English Romantic painter known for his vast apocalyptic visions, creates an awe-inspiring scene with tiny figures dwarfed by towering landscapes, lightning-split skies, and divine spectacle. This breakthrough painting launched Martin's career when it was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1816, establishing his signature style of sublime terror and grandeur that later influenced filmmakers from Cecil B. DeMille to George Lucas. Its theatrical drama and magnificent scale make it a captivating conversation piece that brings museum-quality gravitas to any space.