“Driven from Jerusalem by rebelled again Absalom, David, barefoot, climbed to the hill of Olives” is an etching on paper created by Marc Chagall in 1956 in France. This artwork, belonging to the Naïve Art (Primitivism) movement, is a religious painting measuring 32.2 x 25.5 cm. It is part of the “Etchings for the Bible” series, which spans from 1930-1939 and 1952-1956.
The artwork portrays a poignant biblical narrative with a deeply emotional and dramatic representation. In the foreground, King David, depicted barefoot and cloaked, ascends the Hill of Olives, a gesture indicative of his mourning and shame. The figures’ exaggerated postures and gestures, typical of Chagall’s style, imbue the scene with an intense sense of sorrow and desperation. Following David, a group of figures, also cast in expressive and sorrowful poses, further evokes the gravity of the scene. Above, an ethereal presence watches over the forlorn procession, adding a spiritual dimension to the narrative. The composition’s flowing lines and dynamic forms, combined with the monochromatic palette, enhance the emotional depth and convey a strong sense of movement and atmosphere.
