Achan Punished and Joshua Commands the Sun to Stand Still, Mortier circa 1700

This original copper engraving from Pieter Mortier's illustrated Bible, published in Amsterdam circa 1700, shows two Old Testament scenes on one sheet. The subjects are Joshua 7, Joshua punishes Achan, and Joshua 10, Joshua commands the sun and moon to stand still. It is plate 63 of the series, a fine example of Dutch Baroque biblical engraving with the upper and lower compositions each set in its own engraved frame.

The upper scene illustrates Joshua chapter 7, verses 24 and 25, in which Achan, who took forbidden spoil from Jericho, is brought with his household and possessions to the valley of Achor and stoned by all Israel.

The lower scene takes Joshua chapter 10, verse 12, in which Joshua, pursuing the Amorite kings at Gibeon, commands the sun to stand still over Gibeon and the moon over the valley of Ajalon until the battle is won.

This copper engraving comes from the illustrated Bible published in Amsterdam by Pieter Mortier around 1700, a landmark of Dutch Baroque book illustration that set more than four hundred biblical scenes before the reader. Each sheet pairs two episodes, framed like pictures on a wall and headed by engraved cartouches with the chapter and verse and captions in Dutch and French. No designer or engraver signature is present on this sheet; it carries the imprint P. Mortier edit. cum Privil. The project brought together many of the most accomplished artists in the Netherlands, among them Gerard Hoet, Arnold Houbraken and Bernard Picart, and its theatrical compositions and rich tonal engraving show Dutch Baroque printmaking at its most confident.

Printed on laid paper with full margins and a blank verso, the engraving is uncolored, as issued. Framed in a simple dark or gilt moulding with a generous mount, a Mortier Bible sheet makes a handsome feature in a study, reading room or place of worship, and collectors often build themed groups around a single book of the Bible or a favorite figure.

The sheet is in good condition for its age, with light toning, a few spots and some fraying at the lower edge and corner, all in the margins; the image is clean and strong.