Joshua spying out the Land of Canaan
Date made: 1851
Artist: Martin, John
Description: John Martin (1789-1854) was an English Romantic painter celebrated for his typically vast and melodramatic paintings of religious subjects and fantastic compositions, populated with minute figures placed in imposing landscapes. During his lifetime he was described as "the most popular painter of his day.” From the 1840’s Martin made annual visits to the Isle of Man to stay with his brother-in-law and latterly lived here. It is said that a number of his imaginary landscapes were inspired by the rugged beauty of the Isle of Man. John Martin died in Douglas on 17 February 1854 and is buried at Kirk Braddan.
The painting was purchased from Thomas Hunt Martin, the grandson of John Martin, in 1935 with funds raised by the Friends of the Manx Museum. William Cubbon, Director of the Manx Museum, brokered the sale after meeting him by accident at Windsor Castle. Thomas Martin was acting as a guide and in conversation revealed that he was born at Harold Towers in Douglas and that John Martin was his grandfather. William Cubbon asked Martin about the location of any of John Martin's works and a few months later this painting was offered to the Manx Museum.
Measurements: overall: 38.1 cm x 76.2 cm
Materials: watercolour on paper
Object name: painting
Collection: Art Collection
ID number: 1954-3583
Subject tags : #MM100ARTOFPEOPLE
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