The artwork titled “Already been old, Joshua brings together the Israelites and recalls of the favor which the Lord has blessed (Judges, XXIII, 14-16)” was created by Marc Chagall around 1956 in France. This piece, an etching on paper measuring 30.5 x 24 cm, belongs to the Naïve Art (Primitivism) movement. It is part of Chagall’s “Etchings for the Bible” series, which was developed between 1930-1939 and 1952-1956. The artwork itself falls under the genre of religious painting.
In the artwork, an elderly figure, identified as Joshua, is depicted with outstretched arms, addressing a group of Israelites. His gesture suggests he is delivering an important speech or blessing, reminiscent of the scene described in the biblical passage Judges XXIII, 14-16, where Joshua recounts the Lord’s favor upon the Israelites. The composition is characterized by Chagall’s distinctive style, featuring simple yet evocative lines and a limited color palette to convey the gravity and spirituality of the moment. The background and surroundings are minimalistic, focusing the viewer’s attention on Joshua and the attentive group of Israelites gathered near him, reinforcing the religious and narrative significance of the scene.
