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Paintings, drawings and works of art from 16th to 20th century
John Martin (1789-1854),
Joshua exploring the Land of Canaan
Circa, 1851
Watercolour, gum arabic and gouache on paper, stretched on wood
36,5 x 76,5 cm
Provenance :
- 24 Novembre 1977, Sotheby's, Londres, "The Property of a Gentleman", lot 97
- 19 Juillet 1979, Sotheby's Londres, lot 97
- 10 Mars 1988, Sotheby's Londres, lot 117
- 10 Juillet 1990, Sotheby's Londres, lot 63
- Private collection, France
Bibliography :
- Burlington Magazine, juin 1979, n.916
- William Feaver, The Art of John Martin, Oxford,1975, p.188, and illustration 143.
Joshua discovers the promised land of Canaan” depicts a crucial biblical moment that takes place after the death of Moses. The scene is set in a landscape inspired by the Isle of Man in the Irish Sea. This region was particularly close to the artist's heart, and is the place where he died, brush in hand. The sun sets against a blazing horizon, casting its last rays on the cliffs and inviting viewers to a contemplative pause. The work evokes the discovery of ancient worlds marked by time. This is a recurring theme in the artist's work, where the fantastic and the marvellous often come together.
The composition of this work is very modern for its time. The contrasts of dark and vivid colors, almost frightening, add to the sensation of power and gushing of the landscape. The work evokes a duality between the immensity of the landscape's expanse and a feeling of insular confinement.
This captivating work of Joshua discovering the Promised Land combines the artist's technical mastery with the emotional and spiritual depth typical of his romantic approach to landscape. It illustrates not only his talent for capturing the beauty and power of nature, but also his ability to interweave biblical themes with realistic landscapes inspired by his travels. Through modern compositions and striking contrasts, the artist transports us into a universe where the sublime and the fantastic meet, inviting us to contemplate the grandeur and mysteries of our world.
