The artwork “Abraham and Isaac on the way to the place of Sacrifice” by Marc Chagall was created around 1931 in Paris, France. This piece, measuring 62 x 48.5 cm, was executed using gouache and oil on paper. It exemplifies the Naïve Art movement, often associated with Primitivism, and is categorized as a religious painting due to its depiction of a biblical narrative.
In the artwork, we are presented with two central figures that correspond with the biblical story of Abraham’s near-sacrifice of his son Isaac. The figure presumed to be Abraham is shown with a white beard, clothed in a vibrant red garment that adds a stark contrast to the dark backdrop. He holds high a radiant yellow light, possibly symbolizing divine presence or intervention, and a knife, which underscores the critical moment of the narrative. Isaac kneels in a submissive posture beneath Abraham, with his gaze directed downward, signifying resignation or prayer. The overall composition, coupled with the soft, ethereal application of colors, evokes a sense of solemnity and the psychological weight of the event being portrayed. The use of light and shadow in the piece contributes to the dramatic intensity, while the unfinished edges and loose handling of the medium are characteristic of Chagall’s style within the context of Naïve Art.
