This artwork, titled “Elijah met at the gate of Zarephath a widow trying to collect firewood, which, on the order of the Lord nourish it during the famine (I Kings XVII, 1-10),” is an etching on paper by Marc Chagall, dating around 1956, originating from France. It is a part of the “Etchings for the Bible” series, created during two periods, first from 1930 to 1939 and later from 1952 to 1956. Measuring 29.6 x 25.3 cm, the work is executed in the Naïve Art (Primitivism) style and is categorized as a religious painting.
In the artwork, we observe a scene with two central figures set against a minimally detailed background that suggests a rural or possibly desert landscape, with small buildings and a palm tree in the distance. The figures are executed in a style that underscores the artist’s spontaneous and intuitive approach, characteristic of Naïve Art. The left figure, likely depicting the prophet Elijah, is portrayed with outstretched arms, seemingly capturing a moment of intense communication or plea. The right figure, who represents the widow, is shown crouching close to the ground, collecting firewood. Her posture and focus on her task convey a sense of humble diligence and perhaps the daily struggles of life, especially during a period of famine. The scene encapsulates a biblical narrative of providence and faith, with Chagall’s expressive lines and the overall composition bringing forth a sense of spiritual significance and emotional depth.
