The Messenger of God Appearing to Joshua

In this dramatic composition Bol depicted the Old Testament story of the Fall of Jericho (Joshua 5:13-15). With a sword in hand and radiating lines emanating from his head, a messenger from God has just appeared to Joshua, the leader of the Israelites. The messenger's sudden appearance has startled Joshua, who gazes in astonishment, still gripping his sword and shield. In the background, Bol loosely sketched Joshua's army gathered to support their leader. This drawing was one of several preliminary studies that relate to Bol's later painting The Captain of the Lord's Army Appears to Joshua (ca. 1662, Rijksmuseum Amsterdam, SK-A-1578).