The artwork, “Cain and Abel” by Marc Chagall, created in 1960 in France, is a lithograph on paper measuring 52.5 x 38 cm. It is part of the Bible lithographs series from the same year and belongs to the Naïve Art (Primitivism) movement. This piece falls under the genre of religious painting.
In this lithograph, Marc Chagall depicts the biblical story of Cain and Abel with his signature stylized and primitive aesthetic. Cain is portrayed in the act of striking Abel, highlighting the moment of fraternal conflict and tragedy. The figures are rendered in a manner that underscores the raw emotion and violence of the scene, featuring fluid and expressive lines. The background is presented with abstract forms, adding a sense of depth and narrative context to the composition. The earthy tones and dynamic forms draw the viewer’s attention to the central act of violence, encapsulating the gravity of the moment within its historical and religious significance.
