The artwork titled “Circumcision prescribed by God to Abraham (Genesis, XVII, 10)” was created by Marc Chagall in 1931 in Paris, France. The medium utilized for this piece includes gouache, oil, and paper, and it falls within the Naïve Art (Primitivism) movement. The dimensions of the artwork are 62 by 49 centimeters, and it belongs to the genre of religious painting.
The artwork visually represents the biblical event of circumcision as prescribed by God to Abraham, which is detailed in Genesis, Chapter XVII, Verse 10. Dominating the composition is an elderly figure, presumably Abraham, who is depicted with a solemn expression as he performs the circumcision on a small infant cradled in his lap. The background features a woman, possibly symbolizing Sarah, who watches the event with a somber visage. The scene is characterized by Chagall’s distinctive use of soft, ethereal hues and a somewhat abstracted, emotive style, which encapsulates both the gravity and the spiritual dimensions of the momentous religious rite. The use of gouache and oil on paper allows for a blend of fluidity and texture, enhancing the depth and intensity of the portrayal.
