“Hour between Wolf and Dog (Between Darkness and Light)” is a symbolic painting by Marc Chagall, created between 1938 and 1943 in the United States. This oil on canvas artwork measures 100 x 73 cm and belongs to the Surrealism art movement. It is currently housed in a private collection.
The artwork portrays an intriguing blend of figures and landscapes, reflecting Chagall’s signature surrealistic style. Dominated by a palette of brooding darks and vivid highlights, the central figure features the artist with a painter’s palette. Noteworthy are the dual-toned face, half in blue and the other half in natural tones, symbolizing the intersection of day and night, perhaps indicative of the transitional nature inherent in the title of the painting. The background comprises an eclectic mix of elements, including rural scenes and mystical figures which suggest a deeper narrative interwoven with symbolic imagery. The intertwining of reality and dreamlike elements elicits contemplation on themes of time, transformation, and duality, hallmarks of Chagall’s evocative work.
