The artwork, titled “Jeremiah Thrown into a Prison by the People of King Zedekiah (Jeremiah, XXXVIII, 4-6)”, was created by Marc Chagall around 1956 in France. This piece is an etching on paper, classified under the Naïve Art (Primitivism) movement, and it measures 33.9 x 27.6 cm. It is part of the “Etchings for the Bible” series, which spans the years 1930–1939 and 1952–1956. The work falls under the genre of religious painting.
In the artwork, the figure of Jeremiah is depicted in a hunched position, suggesting the distress and desolation associated with his imprisonment. The etching style emphasizes stark contrasts and expressive lines, adding to the somber and contemplative mood of the scene. The background features dark, shadowy shapes that enhance the sense of confinement and bleakness. Jeremiah’s downcast eyes and bound wrists poignantly convey his suffering, capturing the biblical narrative of his unjust treatment. The limited palette and concentrated use of light and shadow direct the viewer’s attention to the central figure and his torment, serving as a powerful visual interpretation of the scriptural event.
