Artwork
The Seventh Plague
The Seventh Plague is an oil painting by the British Romanticist artist John Martin. It dates from 1823 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston.
About this work
Overview
John Martin’s 1823 oil canvas, titled The Seventh Plague, visualizes the biblical calamity of hail and thunder that struck Egypt. Central to the composition is Moses, staff raised, as a storm descends upon a chaotic landscape of Egyptian architecture and fleeing figures. The work exemplifies Martin’s interest in grand, narrative-driven subjects.
Subject & Meaning
The painting interprets the seventh plague described in Exodus, portraying divine retribution against the oppressors of the Israelites. By placing Moses at the forefront, Martin emphasizes the prophetic authority that summons the tempest, while the panicked Egyptians embody the consequences of defying divine command.
Technique & Style
Martin employs a stark chiaroscuro, juxtaposing luminous bolts of lightning against a brooding sky to heighten drama. Thick impasto in the storm clouds and architectural forms adds tactile depth, while the overall composition balances sweeping vistas with detailed figures, characteristic of his monumental, theatrical approach to history painting.
History & Provenance
The canvas debuted at the Royal Society of British Artists’ first exhibition in 1824. The following year it entered the collection of Whig politician John Lambton, later the Earl of Durham. After changing hands, the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston acquired the work in 1960, where it remains on view.
Context
Created during a period of heightened fascination with ancient Egypt, Martin incorporated recent archaeological findings into his depiction of Egyptian structures. This synthesis of biblical narrative and contemporary Egyptology reflects early‑19th‑century British interests in both scriptural themes and the exotic past.
Artist & collection
Artist
John Martin (19 July 1789 – 17 February 1854) was an English Romanticist painter, engraver, and illustrator.
