The artwork, titled “Circumcision,” was created by Marc Chagall in 1909 in Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation. Rendered in oil on canvas, this piece belongs to the Naïve Art (Primitivism) movement and is a genre painting, with dimensions of 77.8 x 71.7 cm. It is currently held in a private collection.
In this artwork, Chagall presents an intimate and solemn scene of a ritual circumcision. The composition features three figures who appear deeply engaged in the act, highlighted by the presence of a small child who is central to the ritual. The scene is depicted with an air of gravity and reverence, with a warm, somewhat subdued color palette that imbues the moment with a sense of historical and cultural significance. The figures are portrayed in a stylized, almost primitive manner characteristic of Chagall’s early style, emphasizing their emotional and symbolic resonance over realistic detail. The mood of the artwork is contemplative, reflecting the profound cultural traditions and personal symbolism that permeate Chagall’s oeuvre.
