The Sun and the Moon Stand Still, from "Dalziels' Bible Gallery"

Art Historical Context

**The Sun and the Moon Still**, a striking wood engraving from the 1 *Dalziels' Bible*, captures the dramatic biblical moment from Joshua 10:12-13. Here, Joshua commands the sun and moon halt in the sky during a fierce battle against the Amor kings, allowing the Israelites to triumph. Printed on delicate India paper and mounted on thin card, print (image size: 6 15/16 × 6 3/16 in.) vividly depicts soldiers, horses, and chariots charging amid the supernatural event, blending epic warfare with divine intervention. Designed by sculptor Henry Hugh Armstead and masterfully engraved by the renowned Dalziel Brothers—a leading Victorian firm known for their intricate wood engravings—this work exemplifies the collaborative artistry of the era. Published through Camden Press and distributed by Scribner and Welford, it reflects the 19th-century British fascination with illustrated Bibles, making sacred stories accessible and visually compelling for middle-class homes. Wood engraving, a precise technique using end-grain boxwood blocks, allowed for fine details like the tension of battle and celestial drama, rivaling paintings in clarity. Part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Prints collection (anonymous gift, 1926), this piece highlights how Victorian printmaking elevated religious narratives into affordable art, bridging faith, history, and craftsmanship for generations of admirers.

About the Artist

Camden Press|Scribner and Welford|Dalziel Brothers|Henry Hugh Armstead (British|American|British) · 1857 |1800 |1839 –1893 |1899 |1893

British, London|New York, NY|British, active 1839–93