Battle of Jericho 1472

Jean Fouquet’s “Battle of Jericho” (c. 1472), currently housed in the Bibliothèque nationale de France in Paris, depicts the biblical story of the Israelites’ conquest of Jericho. The scene showcases the moment when the Israelites, led by Joshua, marched around the city while blowing trumpets, causing the city’s walls to crumble. Fouquet’s masterful use of detail and perspective creates a dynamic composition. He incorporated a landscape background with a city and a river which highlights the city’s significance. The inclusion of the Ark of the Covenant within the scene emphasizes the importance of faith and the power of God in this story.