The artwork titled “Elijah is taken to heaven in a chariot of fire, to his disciple Elisha” is an etching on paper created circa 1956 in France by artist Marc Chagall. This piece is part of the “Etchings for the Bible” series produced between 1930-1939 and 1952-1956. Measuring 32.9 x 25.2 cm, the artwork belongs to the Naïve Art (Primitivism) movement and falls within the genre of religious painting.
The artwork portrays the biblical scene from II Kings where the prophet Elijah is taken up to heaven in a whirlwind while riding in a chariot of fire, as his disciple Elisha watches from below. The composition is dynamic, with the horses seeming to leap out of the etching and a sense of swirling motion created by the background, which conveys the intensity of the miraculous event. Elijah appears central in the scene, stretched out with his arms open, suggesting a moment of divine rapture or ecstasy. Below, Elisha is depicted with his hands raised, perhaps in a gesture of either shock or awe, reflecting the emotional impact of this vision.
The style is consistent with Chagall’s signature approach, with elements of both expressionism and surrealism hinting at a deeper spiritual significance. Marks and lines are used to create a sense of depth and texture that enhances the mystical experience depicted. The movement’s characteristics of simplicity and a direct, instinctive visual language resonate through the handling of the etching technique, underscoring the artwork’s naive and primitive aesthetic.
