Joshua Commanding the Sun to Stand Still 1827

John Martin made this print, *Joshua Commanding the Sun to Stand Still*, using mezzotint. The scene bursts with a divine light that halts the sun, a potent symbol of power and intervention found across cultures. Consider how the motif of light, as a signifier of divine presence, echoes in various traditions. Think of Apollo driving his sun chariot across the sky, or the halos in Christian iconography, each marking a sacred presence that transcends earthly control. We also see that in ancient Egyptian art, where the sun disc, or Aten, was a symbol of divine power. These images, though culturally distinct, tap into a universal, deeply rooted fascination with the sun's life-giving force, capable of being divinely manipulated. Here, the emotional intensity of the scene is heightened by the dramatic contrast between light and shadow, evoking awe and perhaps even terror. It’s as if Martin tapped into our collective unconscious, reminding us of humanity’s enduring quest to understand and control the elemental forces that shape our world. The sun, once a symbol of certainty, now stands still, challenging our perceptions and beliefs.