Joshua and the Israelites before the Walls of Jericho c. 1600

Christoph Murer created this ink drawing, Joshua and the Israelites before the Walls of Jericho. The sepia wash gives the scene a muted tone, enhancing the sense of a historical narrative. The composition is dominated by a procession moving from left to right, creating a dynamic flow towards the city in the background. Murer uses line to define form and texture, with the hatching suggesting depth and shadow. Note how the Ark of the Covenant serves as a focal point, centrally placed and framed by the figures carrying it. This arrangement emphasizes its importance within the biblical story, while the surrounding soldiers and civilians add to the drama. The city of Jericho, rendered with less detail, provides a backdrop that sets the stage for the impending confrontation. The structure of the drawing—its lines, composition, and tonal range—works together to convey a story of faith and determination, capturing a moment of anticipation before a pivotal event. This drawing can be seen as a cultural record, and an interpretation of historical and religious narratives.